After overthrow
Niger: Berlin and Paris for EU sanctions against putschists
Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who overthrew Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum, addresses supporters of the Nigerian junta. photo
© Sam Mednick/AP/dpa
About a month ago, the military ousted the democratically elected president in Niger. The EU stops all financial aid for the poor country. Germany and France are now demanding more punitive measures.
In addition, organizations that support the putschists could also be targeted. It must be made clear that the EU will not stand by and do nothing about the violent removal of a democratically elected president.
Senegal’s Foreign Minister: Don’t look the other way
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made a similar statement last week. What is happening in Niger affects all democratic countries in the world, said the Green politician on the sidelines of a meeting with Senegal’s foreign minister, Aissata Tall Sall, in Berlin. If you simply look the other way when a democratically elected government is overthrown in a neighboring country or on another continent, then there is a risk of such a breach of the rules in other regions of the world as well.
In July, officers of the Presidential Guard arrested President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger and declared him ousted. The commander of the Presidential Guard, General Abdourahamane Tiani, then proclaimed himself the new ruler. Shortly after Tiani took power as de facto president, the putschists suspended the constitution and dissolved all constitutional institutions.
Important partner in the fight against terrorism
EU sanctions against the putschists would have to be decided unanimously by all EU states. According to EU information, they would include EU entry bans, among other things. In addition, the assets of those affected in the EU would have to be frozen.
Shortly after the coup, the EU announced that all previous EU support payments for Niger would be put on hold for the time being. The country with around 26 million inhabitants has been an important partner of the EU in the fight against Islamist terrorism and illegal migration.
It is very likely that the other EU countries will support the Franco-German violation of EU sanctions – especially if it is ultimately ensured that humanitarian aid is still possible. The reason for this is also that the new military ruler Tiani recently announced that he would set up an interim government that would remain in office for up to three years. The EU and other African states are actually demanding the reinstatement of the constitution and of the president who has been ousted and is under house arrest.
The Foreign Service also prepared a discussion paper on the situation in Niger for the informal meeting of foreign ministers, which is taking place this Wednesday evening and Thursday. On the basis of the consultations, concrete sanction plans could then be drawn up over the next few weeks.