The government of Niger has described the European Union’s (EU) recall of its ambassador in Niamey, Salvador Pinto da França, as a “unilateral decision” made by the envoy rather than a directive from the EU.
The Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Sunday, which was broadcast on national television, disputing the EU’s allegations concerning the handling of humanitarian aid intended for flood victims.
The EU announced on Saturday that it was recalling its ambassador for consultations, citing disagreements over the management of humanitarian assistance.
Niger, however, refuted the claims, stating it had never requested international aid, including from the EU, to address the recent flood damage.
“The government of Niger made a sovereign decision to finance flood recovery efforts independently,” the ministry’s statement read.
The government further criticized the EU delegation for allegedly mishandling the announcement of aid.
According to the statement, the news of the EU’s intended assistance appeared on social media weeks before Niger’s authorities were formally informed.
This, the ministry asserted, violated established diplomatic protocols.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the sole authority for coordinating international assistance.
Even if such aid had been requested, it should have been processed through this ministry,” the statement added.
The Nigerien government also expressed concerns about the EU’s choice to distribute aid through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) without proper oversight, describing the process as “entirely opaque.”
In light of what it termed “a flagrant lack of respect” from the EU delegation, the government declared that further cooperation with the ambassador was untenable.
It formally requested the ambassador’s recall and immediate replacement to facilitate future diplomatic relations.
The incident highlights growing tensions between Niger and the EU, raising questions about the effectiveness of communication and collaboration in humanitarian crises.
