Niger terminates involvement in EU security missions

The military administration of Niger has pulled out of two significant security agreements with the European Union, stating that it will no longer grant EU personnel any “privileges and immunities” as a result of the agreements.

Niger will no longer take part in the EU’s Military Partnership Mission (EUMPM) or its Civilian Capacity-Building Mission (EUCAP), according to a statement released by Naimey’s foreign ministry on Monday.

According to a document from the ministry, officials chose to “withdraw the privileges and immunities granted” under the military collaboration that was established earlier this year and as a result, they are under no legal obligation as part of that agreement.

Along with the dissolution of the EUCAP mission, the government essentially revoked its support of the cooperation. Initially initiated in 2012, the project’s goal was to use EU assistance to strengthen Niger’s civilian police and security services, with a particular emphasis on countering terrorist organisations that were active in the Sahel.

Germany, a key player in the EUMPM, stated that the separate military pact aimed to enhance the capabilities of Niger’s armed forces “with the aim of independently containing terrorist threats.” Berlin had earlier claimed it had given the go-ahead for the deployment of 60 German soldiers on a limited scale for the mission; however, in its most recent statement, Naimey made no mention of foreign forces.

Following discussions between the military administration of Niger and a Russian delegation headed by Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Deputy Defence Minister, a decision was made. The meetings focused on “the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence,” according to Niger’s defence ministry. Moscow has not yet commented on the talks.

Since President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in July, Niger has been governed by military leaders. The EU and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional economic alliance, responded with extensive sanctions.

The new government swiftly suspended military cooperation agreements with France and removed the French ambassador after seizing office last summer. More recently, it withdrew from an EU alliance aimed at reducing illegal immigration.

Currently under military administration, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are attempting to form a federation that would unify the three landlocked African nations. At their first meeting last Thursday, the foreign ministers of all the participating nations decided on “appropriate measures” for the new union. Niger expressed optimism that the move would turn the area from a “zone of insecurity” to a “zone of prosperity.”