The EU has decided to evacuate citizens of its member states from Niger. The announcement was made on Tuesday, August 1 by Josep Borel, Director General of the EU External Relations Department.
"The EU has decided to suspend for the time being its budget support and all security cooperation activities in Niger; the EU has also decided to evacuate European citizens and is implementing this operation," said Borel, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Department, in a statement published on the website of the European External Action Service.
Borel added that the European Commission group responsible for humanitarian aid will remain in Niger and, together with their counterparts in neighboring countries, "will try to limit the negative impact of the coup on the more vulnerable population in Niger.
On the same day, White House Coordinator for Strategic and Public Affairs John Kirby said that the United States has no plans to evacuate its citizens from Niger. He also said that US officials were monitoring the situation in Niger on an hourly basis. According to Kirby, Washington is not ready to talk about the possibility of resolving the conflict by force. The 'diplomatic window' still exists and is 'narrowing'. Also on Tuesday, the French and Italian foreign ministries announced the evacuation of their citizens from Niger.
On the eve of the conference in Niamey, demonstrators marched towards the French embassy building. They chanted anti-French slogans and demanded the closure of foreign military bases in Niger.
On July 26, the presidential guard in Niger revolted. The army tried to blockade the Bazum presidential palace in Niamey. The next day the army announced the removal of President Bazum and the closure of the border. A curfew was imposed and the road to the state television station was blocked. The same day, the rebels announced the suspension of all institutions in the republic.
On July 29, the head of the European Union's External Relations Department stated that Europe would not allow a change of government because of the rebellion.
God, I'm shocked by what's going on in the WORLD. I'm upset..
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