Canada has suspended all direct funding to Niger’s government after a coup d’état on 3 August 2023. The coup was led by a group of soldiers who arrested President Mohamed Bazoum and Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou. The Canadian government said that the coup was a “serious setback” for democracy in Niger and that it would not support a government that came to power through violence.
The suspension of funding includes development assistance, military aid, and debt relief. Canada is Niger’s largest bilateral donor, providing over $100 million in aid each year. The suspension of funding will have a significant impact on Niger’s economy and its ability to provide basic services to its citizens.
The Canadian government has called for the immediate release of President Bazoum and Prime Minister Mahamadou and for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger. It has also urged the coup leaders to engage in dialogue with all political actors in Niger to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
The coup in Niger is the latest in a series of coups that have taken place in West Africa in recent years. In 2020, there were coups in Mali, Guinea, and Sudan. The coups have raised concerns about the stability of the region and the threat they pose to democracy.
The Canadian government’s decision to suspend funding to Niger is a significant step in its response to the coup. It sends a message that Canada will not support governments that come to power through violence. The suspension of funding will also have a significant impact on Niger’s economy and its ability to provide basic services to its citizens. It remains to be seen how the coup will unfold in Niger and what the long-term impact will be on the country.
Canada has suspended its financial assistance to Niger following a military coup in the country.
The coup leaders have rejected a deadline from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
Niger has also closed its airspace until further notice, citing the threat of military intervention from ECOWAS.
Global Affairs Canada has condemned the coup, calling it a serious threat to democracy and stability in the region.
