The European Union (EU) has threatened to suspend cooperation with Niger if it does not comply with democratic rules by starting “consultations” within 30 days.
The EU described the 4 August referendum as a violation of the Constitution. President Mamadou Tandja of Niger organized the referendum to extend his three-year presidential term and hold new legislative elections boycotted by the opposition.
Brussels had already taken conservatory measures against Niamey in the past by deciding to suspend its €180 million budgetary support in protest against the referendum.
The tenth European Development Fund for Niger is approximately estimated at €450 million.
ECOWAS suspended Niger after the authorities adopted a new constitution, disregarding the laws of the country and the regional organization and holding parliamentary election on 20 October.
Nigeriens began to suffer consequences of this suspension with the blockage of several trucks carrying goods as they entered neighboring Nigeria, a sign of embargo on Niger.
Nigerien officials downplayed the situation on Friday, denying any information regarding the likely closure of the border between Niger and Nigeria.
“That information has no basis, nor in Niger or Nigeria (…) a closure of borders between two countries abides by certain conditions and must follow certain procedures and, after these procedures, there is inevitably an official statement”, Dr. Aichatou Mindaoudou, Nigerien Minister of Foreign Affairs explained.
Niamey has received no notification from the Nigerian authorities about a possible closure of borders between the two countries, she said.
Aichatou Mindaoudou even called her Nigerian counterpart who confirmed that no such decision has been taken at any level by the Nigerian authorities.
These remarks were confirmed by the Ambassador of Nigeria to Niger, Batouri Lawal, who said that no decision has been taken in this direction in Nigeria, he said.
Investigations will be conducted to discover the source or cause of such “disinformation”.
Source African Press Agency
