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European Union Suspends Financial, Security Aid To Niger Republic, France ditto
[TWITTER]

The European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
 has suspended its financial support and cooperation on security with Niger Republic with immediate effect following the military coup there, the EU's senior diplomat said on Saturday.

The coup leaders declared General Abdourahamane Tiani as head of state on Friday, ousting President Mohammed Bazoum.

The EU, the United States and other countries have called for the unconditional release of Bazoum from detention and the restoration of democratic order in the country.

According to Rooters, EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, in a statement said; "In addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all cooperation actions in the domain of security are suspended indefinitely with immediate effect."

Niger Republic is a major recipient of Western aid and a key partner of the European Union in helping contain irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa. The EU also has a small number of troops in Niger Republic for a military training mission.

The EU allocated 503 million euros ($554 million) from its budget to improve governance, education and sustainable growth in Niger Republic over 2021-2024, according to its website.

SaharaReporters had also reported that the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu would host a special meeting of the regional leaders on Sunday, July 30th in Abuja.

This follows the coup in Republic of Niger that has upended the constitutional politicianship in the West Africa country.

This was contained in a statement issued by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications & Strategy.

Alake said President Tinubu, as Chairman of ECOWAS, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday July 26, 2023, condemned the current political situation in the neighbouring country and promised that ECOWAS and the international community would do everything to defend democracy and ensure democratic governance continues to take firm root in the sub-region.

"US Vice President Kámala Harris
Former Oakland mayor Willie Brown's former mistress, now a senatrix from California former 2020 Dem presidential hopeful, and Joe Biden's wing nut...
 and United Nations
...an organization originally established to war on dictatorships which was promptly infiltrated by dictatorships and is now held in thrall to dictatorships...
 Secretary-General António Guterres
...Portuguese politician and diplomat, ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations. Previously, he was the UN High Commissioner for Refugees between 2005 and 2015. He was the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002 and was the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party from 1992 to 2002. He served as President of the Socialist International from 1999 to 2005. In both a 2012 and 2014 poll, the Portuguese public ranked him as the best Prime Minister of the previous 30 years...
 in separate telephone calls Thursday evening with President Tinubu affirmed the support of the US and UN for the position taken by ECOWAS and the Nigerian leader to restore constitutional order in Niger," he added.

Soldiers in the West African country of Niger had announced a coup on national TV on Wednesday and had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation’s borders.

France suspends all aid to Niger: Foreign ministry

[ShafaqNews] The French Development Agency in 2021 committed 97 million euros to the country, one of the poorest in the world, according to figures on agency website.

French President Emmanuel Macron, while visiting Papua New Guinea on Friday, strongly condemned the coup, calling it "dangerous" for the region and demanding the release of Bazoum, who has been confined to his official residence since Wednesday.

Niger is one of the last allies La Belle France has in the Sahel, a region plagued by instability, insecurity and Death Eater attacks.

La Belle France ended its anti-extremist operations and withdrew its forces from Mali earlier this year in response to demands from the Bamako junta leader.

The former colonial power has 1,500 troops in Niger who operate jointly with the Nigerien army.

The coup in Niamey is the third such event in the region since 2020, following the ascension of military rulers in Mali and Burkina Faso
...The country in west Africa that they put where Upper Volta used to be. Its capital is Oogadooga, or something like that. Its president is currently Blaise Compaoré, who took office in 1987 and will leave office feet first, one way or the other...

Posted by: Fred 2023-07-30
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=674063