Eu Laments Obstruction To Movement Of Envoy In Niger

The European Union (EU) issued a scathing rebuke on Wednesday, condemning the "obstacles" placed on the movements of its ambassador in coup-stricken Niger. The incident, which occurred on September 5th, has sparked outrage within the EU, as it stands in direct violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention, according to an official statement released by the EU. In the statement, the EU expressed both denunciation and regret over the impediments that its ambassador, stationed in Niamey, encountered while en route to the French Embassy. The Vienna Convention outlines the privileges and immunities that diplomats are entitled to when carrying out their duties in a foreign country. The EU emphasized that its ambassador was duly accredited and therefore should have been able to execute his mission without any hindrances, adhering to the principles enshrined in the Convention. The EU's statement did not provide further details about the specific incident, leaving room for speculation about the nature of the obstacles faced by its ambassador. This latest development exacerbates an already strained relationship between the EU and Niger, following the military coup on July 26th that ousted Niger's democratically-elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. In response, the 27-nation European bloc suspended financial aid to Niger and has been actively considering imposing sanctions on those responsible for the coup. The situation has further escalated, with Niger's new military rulers ordering the expulsion of the French ambassador, deepening tensions between the West African nation and its former colonial power.