6th August, 2023
Canada has suspended direct development assistance to the government of Niger in response to the attempted coup in the West African country.
A military coup deposed Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and his cabinet on July 26.
This is the eighth military takeover in West and Central Africa in less than three years.
West African defence leaders have devised a strategy for military action if Niger’s coup is not undone by Sunday.
Melanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said in a statement “Canada stands with the international community and expresses its support to the ECOWAS mediation efforts for the return of constitutional order in Niger. The democratically elected government must be reinstated immediately,” .
The suspension will encompass Canada’s direct budgetary support to the Government of Niger, the statement added.