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| Josep Borrell |
The European Union (EU) has taken a firm stance against the military authorities that seized power in Niger Republic through a coup, refusing to acknowledge their legitimacy. After the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the head of Niger's Presidential Guards, Omar Tchiani, declared himself the new leader of the uranium-rich country last Friday, following the detention of President Bazoum two days earlier.
The coup has been met with widespread condemnation from African and Western powers and has escalated tensions in Niger. International bodies have imposed sanctions in response to the military takeover, further exacerbating the situation in the West African nation.
In a statement from Brussels on Saturday, July 29, the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, strongly expressed the EU's stance against the coup, emphasizing that the suspension of the Constitution and dissolution of democratic institutions have weakened Niger's Republic and its people.
Borrell asserted that the European Union does not and will not recognize the authorities that resulted from the coup, stating that President Bazoum was democratically elected and remains the country's legitimate President.
Borrell said: “The European Union does not recognise and will not recognise the authorities resulting from the putsch in Niger. President Bazoum was democratically elected.”
He called for Bazoum's immediate and unconditional release and held the putschists responsible for his safety and that of his family.
“The EU holds the putschists responsible for his safety and that of his family. Borrell Added
The EU envoy also expressed the European Union's solidarity with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its African and international partners in their call for the swift and complete restoration of constitutional order. The EU has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to achieve this result and is prepared to support future ECOWAS decisions, including the adoption of sanctions against the coup perpetrators.
“The European Union reiterates its very clear calls for the full and complete restoration, without delay, of constitutional order and fully associates itself with the declarations of ECOWAS and its African and international partners in this regard. In coordination with the President of the European Council, I will continue this weekend the numerous contacts already underway in order to achieve this result. And we stand ready to support future ECOWAS decisions, including the adoption of sanctions."
“This unacceptable attack on the integrity of Niger’s republican institutions will not remain without consequences for the partnership and cooperation which binds the European Union and Niger in all different aspects,” Borrell added.
In response to the coup, the European Union has already suspended financial support and cooperation on security with Niger. Borrell announced the immediate cessation of budget support and the indefinite suspension of all cooperation actions in the domain of security.
Borrell said: “In addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all cooperation actions in the domain of security are suspended indefinitely with immediate effect.”
Additionally, the African Union has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the military officers involved in the coup, demanding that they return to the barracks and restore the democratic constitution and suspended institutions.
The EU's resolute refusal to recognize the military authorities and its imposition of sanctions demonstrate the seriousness with which the international community views the coup, reflecting the urgency to restore democratic governance and stability in Niger.
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