EU Recalls Envoy To Niger Republic Over Controversial $1.35million Aid
Niger Republic had on Friday accused the EU ambassador of distributing 1.3million euros ($1.35million) in humanitarian aid to non-governmental organisations in the country without first informing the authorities.
The European Union (EU) on Saturday said it has recalled its envoy from the Niger Republic.
The development came after EU said Niger Republic had questioned the way the bloc delivered aid to the West African country, according to AFP.
“The EU has therefore decided to recall its ambassador to Niamey for consultations in Brussels,” an EU spokesperson said.
Niger Republic had on Friday accused the EU ambassador of distributing 1.3million euros ($1.35million) in humanitarian aid to non-governmental organisations in the country without first informing the authorities.
It has asked for an audit of the way the funds were managed.
The European Union had in 2023 denounced the obstacles to freedom of movement of its envoy in Niger.
“The European Union denounces and regrets the obstacles to freedom of movement of which the European Ambassador in Niamey was a victim on Tuesday 5 September, 2023 while he was going to the French embassy,” according to an EU statement.
The statement noted that under the 1961 Vienna Convention, the accredited EU ambassador should be able to carry out his mission.
The EU did not give further details on what obstacles Salvador Pinto Da Franca faced.
Since taking power in a coup in July 2023, the Sahel nation’s military rulers have turned their backs on former colonial ruler France and have grown increasingly frosty towards the European Union.
