Germany wants the European Union (EU) to impose “sanctions” on the perpetrators of the coup in Niger, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday.
“After the suspension of development and security cooperation, we want to introduce EU sanctions against the coup plotters,” wrote the German diplomacy on the X social network (formerly Twitter).
Dazu, wie wir die Bemühungen von @ecowas_cedeao am besten unterstützen können, haben @SvenjaSchulze68 & @GERonAfrica in Abuja Gespräche geführt. Nach Aussetzung der EZ & Sicherheitskooperation wollen wir in der EU nun Sanktionen gegen die Putschisten auf den Weg bringen. 2/2
– Auswärtiges Amt (@AuswärtigesAmt) August 17, 2023
In recent days, the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, held talks with her French counterpart, Catherine Colonna, and with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, among others, on the issue of Niger, according to the ministry.
On a visit to Nigeria, German Development Cooperation Minister Svenja Schulze held “talks in Abuja to see how best to support ECOWAS efforts [Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental]”, he adds.
“Germany supports African efforts to resolve the crisis in Niger,” he added.
Military leaders of the ECOWAS countries began a two-day meeting in Accra, Ghana on Thursday to discuss a possible military intervention after the coup in Niger.
The meeting takes place after the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government ordered, a week ago, the “activation” of the “reserve force” of the regional bloc, although they also guaranteed that they will continue to support the dialogue to resolve the crisis .
So far, the Niamey military junta has ignored the threats and, in addition to appointing a new prime minister, forming a transitional government, strengthening its military apparatus and closing airspace, has warned that the use of force will be subject to an “instantaneous” and “energetic” response.
Eventual military action divided the region, with the governments of Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal clearly confirming the readiness of their armies to intervene in Niger’s territory.
On the other hand, Mali and Burkina Faso -countries also led by a military junta- oppose the use of force, while Guinea-Conakry, Algeria, Chad and Cape Verde also expressed their rejection and preference for dialogue.
The coup in Niger was carried out on July 26 by the self-styled National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland, which announced the removal of the president, Mohamed Bazoum, and the suspension of the Constitution.
Source: TSF
