Saturday, November 23, 2024

Brussels, Belgium / Niger, Niamey

The European Union announced on Saturday that it had recalled its ambassador to Niger for consultations, after the EU questioned the terms of its humanitarian aid to the West African country.
The EU expresses its “profound disagreement” after what it denounces as a “questioning” of the management modalities of the humanitarian aid it provided to the victims of the severe floods that hit the country, said a spokesman for the EU diplomatic service.
“Consequently, the EU has decided to recall its ambassador from Niamey for consultations in Brussels”, he added.
Niger’s transitional authorities issued a statement yesterday, Friday, denouncing the EU’s granting of 1.3 million euros in humanitarian aid, without informing them in advance.
“The EU ambassador to Niger unilaterally” redistributed this aid to NGOs, ‘in defiance of the principles of transparency and good collaboration with the competent Nigerien authorities’, the statement said, adding that an ‘audit’ of the management of the funds in question had been requested.
For its part, the EU said it would “continue to support the population”, according to its spokesman.

“Humanitarian aid is essential, it is provided neutrally, impartially and independently, and is implemented by UN agencies and international organizations and NGOs. Nothing should justify the instrumentalization of humanitarian aid for political ends”, he added.
The military regime in Niger maintains difficult relations with Europeans, particularly with France, its former colonial power.

Humaniterre with AFP