Niger suspends export of uranium, gold to France

While Protesters in Niger burned a French flag and shouted “Down with France!” as they supported the coup, according to Wazobia Reporters.

“We have uranium, diamonds, gold, oil, and we live like slaves? We don’t need the French to keep us safe, ” one said.

The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military in Niger Republic to restore ousted President Muhammed Bazoum to office while the border between Niger and all member states remain closed.

The commander of Niger’s presidential guard General Abdourahamane Tchiani on Friday declared himself the head of a transitional government after his soldiers took President Mohamed Bazoum into custody on Wednesday, Aljazeera reported. 

“In addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all cooperation actions in the domain of security are suspended indefinitely with immediate effect,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement on Saturday.

According to its website, the EU has allocated 503 million euros ($554m) from its budget to improve governance, education and sustainable growth in Niger over the 2021-2024 period.

Borrell’s statement also said Bazoum “remains the only legitimate president of Niger”, and called for his immediate release and for holding the coup leaders to account for the safety of the president and his family.

Borrell said the EU was ready to support future decisions taken by West Africa’s regional bloc, “including the adoption of sanctions”.

Earlier, the United States’ top diplomat also offered his “unflagging support” to Niger’s overthrown leader, warning his captors that hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance could be at risk if democratic norms were not restored.

In an address on state television on Friday, the 62-year-old General Tchiani said he had taken control of the government to prevent “the gradual and inevitable demise” of the country.

The African Union also demanded the military in Niger “return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority” within 15 days since it grabbed power.

RHM/PR