Niger: EU rejects allegation on humanitarian aid for flood victims

The European Union Commission has rejected the allegation by the transitional authorities of Niger on the the humanitarian aid provided to the victims of the serious floods that have hit the country.

According to a statement released by the transitional authorities of Niger questioning the arrangements and management by the European Union Delegation of humanitarian aid provided to the victims of floods that have hit the country.

In response, the European Union in a statement noted this and expressed its profound disagreement with the allegations and justifications put forward by the transitional authorities.
As a result, the EU decided to recall its Ambassador from Niamey for consultations in Brussels, stating that in the face of the crisis in Niger, the Commission has always indicated that it wants to continue to support the population.

The Commission added that humanitarian aid is essential, and provided in a neutral, impartial and independent manner, and is implemented by United Nations agencies and international organisations and NGOs. “Nothing should justify instrumentalisation of humanitarian aid for political ends”.

It was reported that the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad has strongly criticized the European Union (EU) for its approach to providing humanitarian aid in response to recent flooding in the country.
The ministry issued a communiqué on November 23, 2024, clarifying its position and announcing that it had requested the recall and replacement of the European Union Ambassador to Niger, Salvador Pinto Da França.

According to the statement, the Nigerien government did not solicit international humanitarian aid for flood victims, opting instead to address the damages using its own resources.

The ministry accused the EU of announcing and implementing aid programs without official communication or approval from Nigerien authorities, violating established diplomatic protocols.

The Nigerien government stated that it did not request assistance from the EU or any other international body to address the flooding.
The ministry noted that news of the aid first appeared on social media before Nigerien government was officially informed, which it described as a breach of diplomatic norms.

The EU reportedly selected NGOs to distribute aid in Niger without consulting local authorities, leading to concerns over transparency.

The Nigerien government summoned Ambassador Pinto Da França on October 14, 2024, to demand an end to the unauthorized operations. Despite this, the ministry said the EU continued its activities, prompting Niger to seek the ambassador’s recall.

The communiqué emphasized that Niger’s decision was rooted in its commitment to preserving national sovereignty, dignity, and the interests of its citizens.