The military coups in African countries are causing unrest in the EU. Germany and France are now campaigning for punitive measures against the military junta in Niger.
Germany and France are campaigning with their EU partners for sanctions against the putschists in West African Niger. According to diplomats in Brussels, the punitive measures are aimed in particular at leading representatives of the military junta, which has been in power since a coup d’état. In addition, organizations that support the putschists could also be targeted. It must be made clear that the EU will not stand by and do nothing about the violent removal of a democratically elected president, an EU official told the German Press Agency.
On the fringes of a meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Toledo, Spain, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced talks at EU level on the subject. The advisability of a legal framework for sanctions against the putschists would be discussed, he said.
Above all, it is unclear how a sanctions decision would affect cooperation with Niger. The country with around 26 million inhabitants has been an important partner of the EU in the fight against Islamist terrorism and illegal migration. In addition, numerous soldiers from EU countries are stationed in Niger. Germany still maintains a military air transport base in the capital Niamey, which is currently being used to withdraw the German armed forces from West African Mali.
For sanctions despite stationed German soldiers
The base should continue to play a role, said Defense Secretary Siemtje Möller on Wednesday in Toledo. Around 100 German soldiers are still there. However, Möller was positive about the sanctions debate. It is about building up pressure so that the democratically legitimized government is reinstated, said the SPD politician, who took part in the EU meeting on behalf of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
In July, officers of the Presidential Guard arrested President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger and declared him ousted. The commander of the Presidential Guard, General Abdourahamane Tiani, then proclaimed himself the new ruler. Shortly after Tiani took power as de facto president, the putschists suspended the constitution and dissolved all constitutional institutions.
EU sanctions against the putschists would have to be decided unanimously by all EU states. According to EU information, they would include EU entry bans. In addition, the assets of those affected in the EU would have to be frozen. Shortly after the coup, the EU announced that all previous EU support payments for Niger would be put on hold for the time being.
EU calls for reinstatement of constitution
It is very likely that the other EU countries will support the Franco-German violation of EU sanctions – especially if it is ultimately ensured that humanitarian aid is still possible. The reason for this is also that the new military ruler Tiani recently announced that he would set up an interim government that would remain in office for up to three years. The EU and other African states are actually demanding the reinstatement of the constitution and of the president who has been ousted and is under house arrest.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) said last week that what is happening in Niger affects all democratic countries in the world. If you simply look the other way when a democratically elected government is overthrown in a neighboring country or on another continent, then there is a risk of such a breach of the rules in other regions of the world as well.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
