After a dispute that lasted for weeks…
Niger.. The German News Agency learned that after weeks of bickering over ending the work of the European Union civilian mission to build capacity in Niger, the head of the mission, Katja Dominik, was able to leave Niger, located in West Africa.
Niger.. Dominique, who is from Germany, and the head of mission operations, Mads Baer, who is from Denmark, arrived in Brussels yesterday, Sunday, after it initially became unclear when they would be able to leave Niger, amid indications from some diplomats that they might be prevented from leaving. .
Niger… A European Union spokeswoman confirmed their arrival on Monday. This means that all international staff have left the mission area.
German News Agency: The head of the European Union mission is able to leave Niger
Last Friday, a European Union spokeswoman denied reports that the authorities had issued a formal travel ban on Domenech and Bayer, but noted “the current delicate situation on the ground.”
The EU Civilian Capacity Building Mission in Niger had 120 staff in the country to support security forces in the fight against drugs, weapons and human trafficking.
But following the coup that took place in July last year, the interim military government decided to end cooperation with former partners and canceled the work of the EU mission that it had begun 11 years ago.
Elements of the civilian EU Mission for Capacity Building in Niger were initially scheduled to leave the country by May, but the mission was forced to accelerate the withdrawal after a dispute with the junta in February over an EU Mission arms transfer, which Niger authorities say was improper. Authorized.
The German News Agency (dpa) learned that the European Union civilian mission for capacity building in Niger had at that time closed a front site in the desert city of Agades, and transported the remaining equipment, including weapons, by air to Niamey, without obtaining permission. Transfer it in a timely manner.
In response, local authorities searched the EULEX headquarters where they confiscated weapons including pistols, semi-automatic weapons, protective equipment and large quantities of ammunition.
The European Union described the raid as a “violation of trust.” He said at the time that the equipment had been properly reported to authorities and met the mission’s security requirements.
On the same day, Nigerien state television also reported that weapons of war, including rocket launchers, had been discovered in a private residence, saying they were linked to a French member of the EU civilian capacity-building mission in Niger. Sources in the European Union denied any connection between these weapons and the mission.
Until the military coup in July 2023, when democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown, Niger was seen as the last democratic partner of the European Union and the United States in the Sahel region, which extends from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east.
Niger is located, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, in a region that has become a stronghold for Islamist terrorist groups. It is also one of the most important transit countries for migrants heading to Europe.