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West Africa

European Commission still feels the Niger imbroglio can be settled with Negotiations

August 10, 2023

(3 minutes read)

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano, in an interface with media in Brussels recently said that there was still room for mediation in Niger. His statement is coming at a time when ECOWAS’ and the United States’ talks with Niger’s new rulers made no headway. The regional summit to decide on the future action on Niger would take place on Thursday, as reported by www.trendsnafrica.com earlier. Analysts do not rule out military action by ECOWAS, as announced earlier if the military junta refuses to budge.

Peter Stano said that ECOWAS was the main actor, and its decision would be crucial and added that the European Union had declared strong support for the decisions, actions, and efforts of ECOWAS to find a solution to the vexatious situation. There is an economic blockade announced by the ECOWAS, which followed the suspension of financial aid by countries like France and Germany. Some international organizations have either imposed such measures or are in the process of them.

EU has distanced itself from the current illegitimate authorities in all spheres including financial assistance, civilian visits, and security issues, said Stano. It is also a fact that the Sahel country is getting overt support from neighbors like Mali and Burkina Faso, which are also ruled by usurped military juntas. Analysts are also speculating about the overt help to the military junta from Russia and China, which they scotch.

ECOWAS had given the mutinous soldiers until Sunday to release and reinstall deposed President Bazoum. It conveyed to the military junta that this would obviate the use of force by the combined troops of ECOWAS. It is to be seen how this would play out and the future action of the military junta, which so far did not yield to the threats openly. Yet, there are indications that backdoor talks are taking place between the military junta and others to find solutions to the vexatious issues. The junta refused to meet a team of negotiators sent by ECOWAS. It is also reported that there was seemingly no military build-up along the borders of Niger.

The impoverished Niger is struggling after the sanctions have been imposed. It is facing an acute shortage of electricity and essential goods as its immediate neighbor Nigeria shut out the electricity supply and closed its borders, affecting movement of goods. Niger faces extreme poverty at 42% as on 2021. The country is looking at leveraging its oil wealth to grow. It is a moot question with the peace and harmony at stake in the West African country, how many would come forward to invest.