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Belgian minister's sensitive visit to Niger: gunfire heard after his departure Image: BENOIT DOPPAGNE
🇧🇪 Belgium /Elections & Politics

Belgian minister's sensitive visit to Niger: gunfire heard after his departure

From La Libre Belgique · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot visited Niger, emphasizing the importance of European presence in the Sahel despite recent coups and anti-European sentiment.
  • Gunfire was heard near the airport in Niamey shortly after Prévot's departure, following a sensitive visit amid strained relations with regional juntas.
  • Prévot announced a 25% reduction in Belgium's development aid but assured humanitarian aid would remain unaffected, while Nigerien officials sought economic cooperation and investment.

Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot concluded a sensitive tour of the Sahel region with a visit to Niger, emphasizing the continued importance of European engagement in the region despite a wave of coups and growing anti-colonial sentiment. His visit occurred amid strained diplomatic relations between the EU and several Sahelian nations now led by military juntas.

Europe turns its back on the Sahel but the region remains important for the security of our continent.

— Maxime PrévotBelgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the importance of continued engagement with the Sahel region.

During his visit, Prévot met with Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine. He stressed that Europe must not turn its back on the Sahel, a region crucial for the continent's security, and highlighted the long-standing relationship between Europe and these countries. Prévot also addressed disinformation campaigns, particularly accusations that Europe supports terrorist groups, urging them to cease. He acknowledged disagreements but stated they were handled respectfully.

If Belgium only dialogued with countries sharing its ideas, it would turn its back on 80% of the world's population.

— Farmo MoumouniNigerien Minister, responding to Minister Prévot's comments on dialogue.

Shortly after Prévot's departure from Niamey, gunfire and detonations were reported near the capital's airport. This incident underscores the volatile security situation in Niger and the broader Sahel region, which has seen multiple coups in recent years, leading to the formation of alliances hostile to former colonial powers.

We no longer need Western legitimation, we grant it to ourselves. What we are looking for are investment opportunities.

— Nigerien MinisterExpressing Niger's desire for economic cooperation and self-determination.

While Prévot announced a 25% reduction in Belgium's development aid to the region, he assured that humanitarian aid would remain untouched. Nigerien officials, however, expressed a desire for economic cooperation and investment, stating they no longer require Western validation. They are seeking opportunities that could stimulate the economy and potentially counter the appeal of extremism.

This disinformation campaign must stop. We must not add fuel to the fire.

— Maxime PrévotAddressing accusations of European support for terrorist groups.
About this summary

Originally published by La Libre Belgique in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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