The European Union is suspending all financial aid and security cooperation with Niger with immediate effect, in response to Wednesday's military coup. The African Union, too, is threatening measures if constitutional order is not restored within two weeks.
The EU has no intention of recognising Niger's new military rulers, said the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell: deposed President Mohamed Bazoum was democratically elected and therefore the only legitimate president of Niger. The EU is demanding his immediate release.
The EU is also immediately taking measures against the coup plotters: all financial support and security cooperation will be suspended with immediate effect.
'Worrying resurgence of military coups'
Last Wednesday, elite soldiers of the Presidential Guard surrounded the presidential palace and captured President Bazoum. Yesterday (Friday), General Abdourahmane Tchiani proclaimed himself Niger's new leader.
The African Union is also demanding Bazoum's immediate release. It demands that the military return to their barracks "immediately and without conditions" and restore constitutional order within 15 days, and added that it is ready to take "all necessary measures" should that not happen, including punitive sanctions against the coup plotters.
The African Union Peace and Security Council further says it is very concerned about the "worrying resurgence of military coups" on the continent. In recent years, coups also happened Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.
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On Friday evening, the United Nations Security Council also condemned the coup in the West African country and demanded the immediate release of the jailed president as well. "Security Council members expressed their concern over the negative consequences of unconstitutional changes in the region, the increase in terrorist activities and the poor socio-economic situation."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly had a telephone conversation with Bazoum, the ministry reports. In it, he assured Bazoum that he can count on the "unwavering support" of the United States and told him that the US will work for the full restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
