Niamey does not need permission from Brussels to make its security decisions, the West African nation has said<\/p>\n
Niger has summoned the European Union\u2019s acting charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires and accused the bloc of interfering in its sovereign affairs after Brussels questioned the legal basis and purpose of Algeria\u2019s deployment of troops to the West African state.
\nOlai Voionmaa was called to Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine\u2019s office on Monday over comments by EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni, the Nigerien Foreign Ministry said. Niamey described the remarks as \u201ccondescending and unacceptable.\u201d
\n\u201cNiger does not receive injunctions from any country or institution,\u201d the authorities said, adding that the country \u201cdoes not need permission from Brussels\u201d to exercise its sovereignty.
\nThe dispute follows Algeria\u2019s decision last month to deploy army units to northern Niger at Niamey\u2019s request. Algerian lawmakers approved the mission, which Algiers says is intended to protect shared energy and economic interests, marking the country\u2019s first foreign troop deployment since 1973. Reuters reported that the first convoy reached the uranium-mining city of Arlit on October 30.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Algeria boosts defense ties with former rival<\/p>\n
El Anouni had said the EU wanted more information about the deployment\u2019s scope, objectives, and legal basis, while arguing that security measures should respect international law and contribute to regional stability. Brussels subsequently said it respected the sovereignty of both countries and had not intended to interfere in their bilateral relationship.
\nRelations between the West African country and the EU deteriorated sharply after the July 2023 overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum. Brussels suspended budget support and security cooperation, demanding Bazoum\u2019s release and a return to constitutional rule.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: African country rejects European Parliament resolution<\/p>\n
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Niamey later revoked the agreements underpinning the EU\u2019s civilian and military security missions, prompting their withdrawal. The EU said last year it remained open to structured dialogue with Niger.
\nNiger has meanwhile strengthened security ties with Russia after also forcing out French and US troops. Moscow\u2019s Africa Corps operates in the country, and Russian forces helped government troops regain control of a key Niamey airbase during an August mutiny. Russia and Niger\u2019s fellow Alliance of Sahel States members Mali and Burkina Faso agreed in July to deepen military and military-technical cooperation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Niamey does not need permission from Brussels to make its security decisions, the West African nation has said Niger has summoned the European Union\u2019s acting charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires and accused the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40934,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-environment","category-politics"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t