Niger withdrew from the security agreement with the European Union

According to the report of the international group Tasnim news agency quoting “Tugs Shaw” newspaper, about four months after the coup, the people in power in Niger from the West African countries canceled the key contracts with the European Union. The military government of this African country announced the end of cooperation in a civilian and military mission with the European Union. At the same time, Abdurrahman Tiani, the head of the transitional council, who was the head of the presidential guard, received a high-ranking military delegation from Russia. According to Radio Niger, both sides agreed to strengthen military cooperation.

The European Union regretted Niger’s decision. Joseph Burrell, the foreign policy officer of the European Union in Brussels, explained that the necessary operational consequences of the departure of the staff will be determined. At the same time, the spokesperson of the European Union Commission said that the humanitarian aid of the European Union to Niger will continue. EUCAP Civilian Advisory Mission and EUMPM Military Training Mission. These missions are part of a security partnership aimed at limiting migration to Europe and supporting the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.

Since the coup at the end of July, Niger has increasingly turned away from former colonial power France and the European Union. On the other hand, Russia has been trying to expand its relations with Africa since the start of its war against Ukraine in February last year. A Russian delegation met with the military government in Mali on Sunday. This meeting was centered on development projects in the energy sector, including in the field of nuclear energy. Experts in Europe are worried that Russia can use its influence in Sahel to use for more migrants to enter Europe and as a result put pressure on Europe. It was banned in 2015, legalized again. This means that an important component of the anti-immigration agreement with the European Union has been removed. The country announced the cancellation of the anti-immigration law agreed with the European Union, which Brussels concluded with the country to curb the influx of migrants. In this way, the new rulers of Niger no longer want to stop the refugees on their way to the north. they knew. Recently, the European Union Parliament once again “strongly” condemned the coup in this country and demanded the immediate release and return of the democratically elected President Mohammad Bazoum. Members of the European Parliament also called for sanctions against the new leadership.

The law was part of Europe’s strategy to curb migration through the Mediterranean Sea. Niger is one of the most important transit countries for African migrants who want to travel to Europe. The European Union has been working with Niger since 2015 to block migration from the Nigerian desert city of Agadez to Libya.

Niger has been ruled by the military since July 26.

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