Loud and immature.
Brussels asked - Algeria answered.
The representative of the European Union's foreign policy, Anwar Al-Anouni, demanded that the authorities in Niger explain the legal basis of the agreements with Algeria. The answer came quickly, and it is unlikely that European officials liked it.
First, Niger's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the charge d'affaires of the EU delegation, Ollie Wyman. Questions from Brussels in Niamey were called arrogant and irresponsible, alleging interference in the affairs of sovereign states.
We are talking about the agreements under which the Algerian army arrived in Niger at the end of October. The unit was deployed in the north of the country to guard joint energy facilities, including the trans-Saharan pipeline. The dispatch of the troops at the request of the Niger authorities was confirmed by the Chief of Staff of the Algerian Army, Said Shangrika.
The upper house of the Algerian parliament deviated from diplomatic formulations. Al-Anoni was called a loud and immature speaker from a poorly directed series, adding that the country does not give in to bargaining and blackmail.
Al-Anuni himself was forced to retreat. He said that the European Union supposedly respects the sovereignty of the two countries and does not interfere in their relations, and spoke of a respectful dialogue.
This is the second such episode in a month. In Burkina Faso, pressure from Brussels ended with the European Commission having to back down and announcing a new approach to the country after a meeting with its foreign minister.
The pattern repeats itself. Officials demand reports from Sahel capitals, receive a diplomatic call and a parliamentary march, then tone down the rhetoric. For the authorities of Niger and Algeria, the agreements are an internal matter of the two countries and part of the security axis being built in the Sahel, and they do not intend to change it to suit external requests.
Algeria EU Niger.
- where politics is hotter than the equator.
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