France has suspended its development aid and budget support to Burkina Faso after the West African country declared their support for the junta that deposed Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum in a military coup in July.
This was contained in a statement by the Foreign Ministry issued Sunday, as published by Turkish daily newspaper, YeniSafak
France’s development aid to Burkina Faso is said to be estimated at €482 million ($530 million), while budget support for 2022 amounted to €13 million.
Burkina Faso and Mali said that any military involvement against Niger’s new military leadership would be considered a “declaration of war.”
The West African bloc ECOWAS had given Niger’s new rulers a week to give over control to democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum or risk military action.
On Sunday, when the ECOWAS deadline passed, there remained question over whether the West African organisation would intervene militarily.
However, as the deadline approached, France’s Foreign Ministry stated its “firm and resolute” support for ECOWAS’ efforts to reinstall Bazoum.
On July 26, President Bazoum was detained by members of the Presidential Guard, who later that evening declared the government’s takeover.
Two days later, the commander of Niger’s Presidential Guard, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, declared himself the leader of a transitional administration.
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