The World Bank Suspends Financing in Niger Amid Political Unrest

The World Bank announces the suspension of financing all of its operations in Niger

Niamey – AFP

Posted on: August 03, 2023: 01:51 AM GST Last updated: August 03, 2023: 02:06 AM GST

The commander of the military group that seized power in Niger, General Abd al-Rahman Tiani, announced on Wednesday that he “rejected all sanctions” imposed by neighboring West African countries on Niger and “refused to submit to any threat.”

General Tiani said in a televised speech on the eve of the anniversary of the independence of the former French colony that the “National Council for the Protection of the Homeland” rejects all these sanctions and refuses to submit to any threat, whatever its source, “adding, “We reject every interference in the internal affairs of Niger.”

Tianyi considered that there is “no objective reason” for the French to leave the country, while evacuations of hundreds of its citizens and European nationals are continuing by Paris.

Tiany said the French nationals were “never exposed to the slightest threat” and “there is no objective reason” for them to leave the country.

And the World Bank announced that it was “concerned” about efforts to overthrow a democratically elected government in Niger, adding that it had stopped disbursing funds for all its operations in this country until further notice.

The bank said in a statement that its partnerships with the private sector “will continue with caution,” adding that it will “closely monitor the situation” after the coup in Niger.

The World Bank spent $1.5 billion in Niger in 2022 through its various assistance programs, and its spending since the beginning of the year amounted to $730 million.

The International Monetary Fund also provides several assistance programs, but has not yet announced the suspension of financing its operations in Niger.

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2023-08-02 21:51:00