EBN – The European Union is intensifying its efforts to impose punitive actions on the coup military commanders in Niger. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced the news on Wednesday.
Following a gathering of EU defence ministers in Toledo, Spain, Borrell detailed the forthcoming imposition of sanctions.
Regional Cooperation to Counter Coup
This move follows ECOWAS and the West African Monetary and Economic Union’s introduction of financial sanctions after the coup.
The sanctions involved the suspension of financial transactions and asset freezing, with the coup perpetrators subjected to travel bans.
Borrell called for a legislative framework during the ministerial meeting to empower the EU in issuing sanctions against coup leaders.
“It’s up to ECOWAS to take decisions in order to counter this military coup and we will follow,” Borrell affirmed. Furthermore, progress towards an autonomous sanctions protocol to address the coup was revealed.
Asked whether the EU would be amenable to funding a potential military intervention by ECOWAS, Borrell exhibited openness.
Scheduled discussions for the following day were poised to feature the participation of ECOWAS’s President and Niger’s foreign affairs minister in Toledo.
EU Expresses Concern Over Fragile Niger
Additionally, Borrell emphasised the dire significance of the recent Niger coup for an already fragile region. “It’s clear that the coup in Niger is opening up a new era of instability in a region which is already very fragile,” Borrell stated.
The EU’s call for the reinstallation of President Mohamed Bazoum came with the suspension of financial assistance and security cooperation. External budget support and loans constituted nearly 40% of Niger’s total budget.
Amid these diplomatic moves, EU defence ministers deliberated on reinforcing support for Ukraine.
Borrell said the EU’s training of Ukrainians is on track to meet its goal of training 30,000 soldiers by October. He further proposed a target of 40,000 by year-end, with training Ukrainian pilots for F-16 fighter jets.
