ROME (Sputnik) – On July 30, in response to a fresh coup in Niger, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended all financial aid, froze rebels’ assets and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country, as well as closed all borders. Nigeria, Niger’s southern neighbor, cut electricity supply to the nation.
EU Pleased Sanctions Cause Food, Medicine Shortages in Niger, Special Envoy Says
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Washington has chosen its own interests over its allies, a French diplomat has told the newspaper, following Victoria Nuland’s visit to Niger
France furious with US over Niger – Le Figaro
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US Considers Ways to Keep Its Military Presence in Niger
Turse explained in a recent article that in 2002 and 2003, the first years of US counterterrorism assistance to Niger, the State Department counted just nine terrorist attacks in all of Africa.
“Last year, the number of violent events in Burkina Faso, Mali, and western Niger alone reached 2,737, according to a report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a Defense Department research institution. This represents a jump of more than 30,000 percent since the US began its counterterrorism efforts,” Turse wrote.
Washington is halting some aid to Niger even as it eyes greater support for Burkina Faso’s military coup-maker.
At Least Five Members of Niger Junta Were Trained by U.S.
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 