Canada will suspend direct development assistance to the government of Niger in response to the attempted coup d’état in the West African nation, the federal government announced.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly said: “Canada stands with the international community and expresses its support to the ECOWAS mediation efforts for the return of constitutional order in Niger.”
“The democratically elected government must be reinstated immediately,” Joly added.
Meanwhile, the suspension will include Canada’s direct budgetary support to the government of Niger, the statement added.
The US Department of State recently announced pausing certain foreign assistance programs benefiting the government of Niger.
“This interim measure does not impact all US foreign assistance programs in Niger. Most importantly, the provision of life-saving humanitarian and food assistance will continue,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
“Further, we are continuing US government activities in Niger where feasible to do so, including diplomatic and security operations, for the protection of US personnel.
A military junta overthrew Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and his government on July 26, the seventh military takeover in less than three years in West and Central Africa.
