Paris: As the EU and former colonial power France suspended security cooperation and financial aid to the jihadist-affected nation on Saturday, the African Union demanded that Niger's new junta return to their bases and reestablish constitutional order within 15 days.

Two days after his forces imprisoned democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in his official residence, General Abdourahamane Tiani, commander of the elite Presidential Guard, proclaimed himself the new leader of the West African nation on Friday.

According to Tiani, the putsch was a reaction to "the degradation of the security situation" brought on by jihadist violence, corruption, and financial difficulties.

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Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger's neighbours, have both experienced two military coups since 2020, spurred on by resentment over the failure to put an end to protracted insurgencies by jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Daesh group.

After a meeting on the coup on Friday, the African Union's Peace and Security Council demanded that "military personnel to immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority, within a maximum of fifteen (15) days."

It expressed its strong condemnation of the coup in "the strongest terms possible" and grave concern over the "alarming resurgence" of military coups in Africa.

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In addition to calling for "an immediate return to constitutional order" and Bazoum's reinstatement, France's foreign ministry announced that it was suspending budgetary and development assistance to Niger, one of the world's poorest nations.

Josep Borrell, the head of the EU's diplomatic representation, declared that the bloc would not recognise the putschists and that all financial assistance to Niger had been suspended indefinitely.
In a statement, the EU demanded Bazoum's immediate release and held the coup leaders accountable for ensuring the safety of the president and his family. Bazoum "remains the only legitimate president of Niger," the statement said.

Borrell stated that the EU was prepared to support any subsequent choices made by the regional grouping of West Africa, "including the adoption of sanctions."

The detained leader of Niger was assured of Washington's unwavering support by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who also warned those holding him that they were "threatening years of successful cooperation and hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance."

Leaders from the regional bloc known as the Economic Community of West African States will meet on Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria, to discuss the coup.
According to the presidency, French President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to preside over a meeting of his Defence and National Security Council on the coup on Saturday afternoon.

While the United States only has about 1,000 troops in Niger, France has 1,500 soldiers there. Despite a distinguished military career that has seen him command the 700-member presidential guard since 2011, Tiani, 59, has avoided the spotlight.

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According to sources close to Bazoum, the two men's relationship has gotten worse recently, and he has been thinking about taking Tiani's place as the leader of the elite unit.

Despite having significant uranium reserves, the landlocked Niger frequently comes in last on the UN's Human Development Index. Since gaining independence in 1960, there have been four coup attempts as well as numerous other attempts, including two previously against Bazoum. As juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso turn away from longtime allies and towards Russia, the number of elected presidents and pro-Western leaders in the Sahel region is dwindling. The 63-year-old is one of these leaders.