Summary
- EU and France suspend financial support to Niger
- EU had allocated over $550 million to Niger
- U.S. threatens to cut off all support and cooperation
Introduction
NIAMEY, July 29 (Reuters) – The European Union and France have cut off financial support to Niger and the United States has threatened to do the same, after military leaders this week announced they had overthrown the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, receiving close to $2 billion a year in official development assistance, according to the World Bank. It is also a security partner of former colonial power France and the United States, which both use it as a base to fight an Islamist insurgency in West and Central Africa’s wider Sahel region.
Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The suspension of financial support from the European Union, France, and the potential cut-off of support from the United States will have significant implications for Niger’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs aim to address global challenges such as poverty, hunger, education, and peace and justice. Niger heavily relies on official development assistance to implement projects that contribute to these goals.
Immediate Consequences
The suspension of financial support will have immediate consequences for Niger’s economy and development projects. The EU and France have suspended all development aid and budget support, while the United States threatens to cut off all support and cooperation. This will result in a halt in externally-funded projects, including those financed by the EU, World Bank, IMF, and other international organizations. Budgetary aid given to Niger will also be stopped.
Furthermore, the suspension of security cooperation actions will impact Niger’s ability to address security challenges, including the fight against Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region. This could potentially lead to an increase in insecurity and instability in the country and the wider region.
Long-term Implications
The suspension of financial support and cooperation actions will have long-term implications for Niger’s sustainable development. The country relies on external assistance to improve governance, education, and sustainable growth. The EU, for example, had allocated 503 million euros ($554 million) from its budget to support these areas in Niger over 2021-2024. The suspension of this support will hinder progress towards achieving these goals and may lead to setbacks in poverty reduction, education, and other development indicators.
Additionally, the suspension of financial support may also impact Niger’s ability to curb the flow of irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, as it is a key partner of the European Union in addressing migration challenges. This could have implications for regional stability and migration management efforts.
International Response
The international community has condemned the military coup in Niger and expressed support for the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The European Union, France, and others still recognize Bazoum as the legitimate president. The United Nations has stated that the coup has not affected its deliveries of humanitarian aid.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Monetary Union will hold emergency summits to discuss the situation and consider further economic and financial sanctions. The African Union has demanded that the military return to their barracks and restore constitutional order within 15 days.
Conclusion
The suspension of financial support from the European Union, France, and the potential cut-off of support from the United States will have significant consequences for Niger’s sustainable development. It will impact the country’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing challenges such as poverty, education, and security. The international community’s response will play a crucial role in determining the future trajectory of Niger’s development and stability.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.15: Respect each country’s policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
- Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels
- Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
- Target 17.15: Respect each country’s policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development
- Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No, the article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
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Source: reuters.com
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