The European Union announced this Saturday that it had recalled its ambassador to Niger “for consultations”. This announcement follows a dispute, according to the EU, over the terms of its humanitarian aid in this West African country.
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This episode of tensions betweenEuropean Union and the Niger began with a press release from the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs read Friday evening in the national television news, RTN. The ministry explains that the European Union would have released 1.3 million euros for the victims of the floods of the last rainy season.
Except that, according to Niamey, not only had this aid not been requested by the transitional authorities but also the funds would have been directly allocated by the European ambassador to several NGO international companies operating in the country. The ministry cites, for example, the International Committee of the Red Cross or the Danish Refugee Council. The authorities denounce a “ disregard for the principles of transparency and good collaboration » and announces that it has commissioned an audit to find out “ use and real destination » funding.
In a press release published on Saturday, the European Union said it strongly disagreed with “ the allegations and justifications put forward by the transitional authorities » and assures that humanitarian aid is not only “ essential » but brought in a “ neutral, impartial and independent “. She therefore recalls her ambassador to Niamey “ for consultation » denouncing “ the exploitation of humanitarian aid for political purposes “.