EU Suspends Budget Support and Security Cooperation with Niger Following Coup

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated on Saturday that "the EU has suspended its financial support and security cooperation with Niger immediately following the military coup there." He called for "the European Union, the United States, and other countries to release Bazoum unconditionally and restore democratic order in the country." In his statement, Borrell said: "In addition to the immediate suspension of budget support, all security cooperation measures are indefinitely suspended and take effect immediately." Niger is one of the main countries receiving assistance from the West and a key partner for the EU in its efforts to curb irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa. The EU also has a small number of troops in Niger on a military training mission. The European Union stated on its website that it earmarked 503 million euros (554 million dollars) from its budget to improve governance, education, and sustainable growth in Niger from 2021 to 2024. For his part, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that "it is clear that the substantial aid we provide to the people of Niger is at risk." The United States has two military bases in Niger housing about 1,100 troops and also provides hundreds of millions of dollars in security and development assistance.