Niamey Calls for Replacement of EU Ambassador Amid Aid Dispute
Niamey, the capital of Niger, has made a formal request for the European Union to replace its Ambassador to the country, Salvador Pinto da Franca. The call for his replacement comes in the midst of a heated dispute over €1.3 million in emergency flood relief funds. The European Union had recalled Ambassador da Franca to Brussels after Niger’s military-led administration accused him of distributing the funds to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) without proper approval from the government. Despite the EU denying these allegations and urging Niamey not to politicize the issue, Niger has stood firm in its claims against the ambassador.
The Nigerien government has stated that Ambassador da Franca continued to carry out unauthorized operations, even after being warned to stop. In a statement released on Sunday, the country’s foreign ministry announced that it could no longer work with the ambassador and requested an immediate replacement. Additionally, Niger clarified that it did not seek assistance from the European Union and intends to manage the flood crisis independently. The country has been grappling with devastating floods since June, resulting in the loss of over 300 lives and the displacement of more than 1.1 million people.
This development underscores the strained relationship between Niger and the European Union, highlighting the challenges faced in coordinating international aid efforts during times of crisis. The dispute over the distribution of emergency funds has raised concerns about accountability and transparency in humanitarian assistance, as well as the need for effective communication and collaboration between governments and international organizations.
SOURCE: AFRICA NEWS
