In Niger, the new authorities announced on Monday December 4 that they were putting an end to two European Union defense and security missions in the country. Announcement made when a Russian delegation was in Niamey, and less than two weeks after the European Parliament adopted a resolution to condemn the coup and demand the release of Mohamed Bazoum, the president overthrown on July 26.
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In Niger, the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) continues to reconfigure its partnershipsand gradually puts an end to ties with his Western partners which had been woven by the fallen regime. After asking for the departure of French soldiersand having moved closer to Mali and Burkina Faso within the framework of the Alliance of Sahel States, Niamey therefore announced this Monday to put an end to two European missions which were present in the country.
The first: EUCAP Sahel Niger. A civilian mission of 120 people, underway for around ten years, focused on supporting Niger’s internal security, particularly in the fight against terrorism, organized crime and irregular migration. She ” resulted in more than 20 000 elements of the internal security forces », Recalls the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. She has six months to leave the country. The second is the European Union military cooperation mission, EUMPM, launched less than a year ago in support of the fight against terrorism.
MON ” regret ” this decision
The European Union reacted this Tuesday and said “ to regret » this decision taken by Niamey. “ The European Union regrets the decision taken by the junta to denounce the agreement establishing the legal basis for the deployment of the European mission EUCAP Sahel Niger and the military cooperation mission EUMPM », Declared Josep Borrell in a press release this Tuesday. However, the EU had already suspended all security and defense cooperation with Niger after the coup.
He added that the EU would benefit “ the necessary operational consequences “. Asked what this actually entailed, a spokesperson for the head of European diplomacy did not want to give more details.
Strengthened cooperation with Russia
Like Burkina Faso, Niger also took action a few days ago its exit from the G5 Sahel and repealed the Migration Act 2015. When Niger breaks these agreements with the Europeans, it strengthens its military cooperation with Russia.
Some documents ” as part of this strengthening » were signed this Monday, December 4 in Niamey, on the occasion of the visit of a delegation led by the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense, who was received by the head of the CNSP, General Tiani.
(And with AFP)
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