Niger Government Requests Replacement of European Union Ambassador Salvador Pinto da Franca Amid Tensions Over Emergency Aid Handling
Niger’s government has called for the replacement of the European Union’s ambassador, Salvador Pinto da Franca, amid rising tensions over the handling of emergency aid. This request comes after a dispute over the disbursement of €1.3 million in flood relief, which Niger’s military rulers claim was distributed to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) without their approval.
The European Union, however, rejected the accusations, expressing “profound disagreement” with the allegations. Niger’s foreign ministry contended that the ambassador had continued “unauthorized operations” despite warnings issued in October, and stated that collaboration with him had become untenable. In a formal statement, the ministry demanded that the EU replace da Franca “as soon as possible.”
Since June, flooding in Niger has claimed the lives of more than 300 people and displaced over 1.1 million others. In response to the crisis, the Nigerien government announced that it had not sought EU aid and intended to address the damage using its own resources.
Relations between Niger and the EU have been increasingly strained since the July 2023 military coup, with the country distancing itself from both France and the European Union, as it navigates a more independent path in its foreign policy.
