The head of diplomacy of the European Union expressed this Monday “his total solidarity” with France, whose ambassador in Niger is under the expulsion of the military who took power. Paris does not recognize the Nigerien authorities resulting from the coup d’état that occurred at the end of July and, therefore, rejects the departure of Sylvain Itté as demanded by the coup plotters.
“We express our solidarity with France regarding its ambassador,” Josep Borrell said at a conference in New York following a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
He also reiterated his “full support” for President Mohamed Bazoum, overthrown and taken prisoner by the military.
“We salute his bravery and determination,” although he has been detained for two months and has no intention of resigning, Josep Borrell also declared.
“Re-evaluate” the EU strategy
Regarding the Sahel, he repeated that the European Union must “re-evaluate” its strategy, its approach, its policies and its expectations. “We have no conclusions,” he added, while highlighting that the ministers agreed on one point: the need for a “new approach” in a “much more complex” environment.
He recalled the situation of the Sahel, neighbor and partner at the same time, and the importance that member countries attach to the countries of this region, particularly in terms of security.
“We insist on the idea that we must have African solutions for African problems,” he also declared.
Last week, Josep Borrell acknowledged that despite hundreds of millions of euros spent in the Sahel, Europeans had failed to reinforce democracy in this region, victim of a series of military coups, including the latest in Niger.
Source: BFM TV
