Check against delivery!  

Almost four months after the coup in Niger, President [of Niger, Mohamed] Bazoum is still detained, with his wife and his son, in the presidential palace, in very difficult conditions. He has not resigned, as the junta leaders would like. The EU should continue to pay tribute to his courage and his perseverance.  

Since the beginning of this crisis, the High Representative [Josep Borrell] has been very clear. On many occasions, he has called for his release and for a return to the constitutional order. We are supporting ECOWAS’ (Economic Community of West African States) efforts in reaching these two objectives.

For the time being, although some like-minded countries have practically accepted the situation and are engaging with the junta, thereby weakening ECOWAS, the European Union does not believe that such unconstitutional changes can be trivialised. 

The experience in Mali and Burkina Faso clearly shows that military coups do not lead to positive changes either for the country or for the region.  

We should encourage Niger to reach an agreement with ECOWAS for the return to the constitutional order; and we should stand by our views that this is the best way of ensuring peace and prosperity for the people of Niger and beyond. 

The October European Council has called for the immediate release of President Bazoum and his family and has also tasked the High Representative/Vice-President and the Commission to present options for European Union actions and instruments. That is what the relevant services are working on in view of the next Foreign Affairs Council on 11 December.  

Thank you. 

Link to video: (starting as of 14:00): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-249466