Wednesday November 27, 2027
Niamey, Niger

Niger said on Sunday November 24, 2024 that it had requested the replacement of the European Union ambassador ahead of his recall announced by the EU on Saturday for “consultations” in Brussels, as the Nigerien leadership criticized aid to victims of recent floods.

Nigerien authorities accused the EU on Friday of “unilaterally” redistributing 1.3 million euros of EU humanitarian aid to foreign NGOs operating in Niger, without informing them in advance. They said they were carrying out an audit, and called on the EU to do the same.
The following day, the EU expressed its “profound disagreement” with the questioning of aid management procedures, and announced the recall of its ambassador to Niger, Salvador Pinto da França, for “consultations” in Brussels. It also stated that it would “continue to support the population”.
On Sunday, the Niger Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that it had summoned Mr. Da França on October 14 to “put an end to operations” to deliver aid, before “noting” that they were continuing.
The government said it then concluded that “collaboration” with Salvador Pinto da França was “no longer possible” and “officially requested his recall and replacement as soon as possible”.

Niger “has never launched an appeal for international humanitarian aid in response to the floods”, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The announcement of this unsolicited aid appeared on social networks two weeks before the Nigerien authorities were officially informed, which is contrary to diplomatic practice”, it continues.

Humaniterre

Sources AFP /Actuniger