NIAMEY, Niger, Nov 25, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Niger said Sunday it could no
longer work with the European Union's ambassador and had requested a
replacement "as soon as possible" after the bloc recalled its envoy over a
row surrounding the disbursement of emergency aid.

Niger's military rulers on Friday accused EU ambassador Salvador Pinto da
Franca of distributing 1.3 million euros ($1.36 million) in aid for flood
victims to non-governmental organisations without first informing the
authorities.

The EU expressed its "profound disagreement" with the accusations on Saturday
and recalled its ambassador for consultations in Brussels.

Niger's foreign ministry fired back Sunday, saying it had warned da Franca in
October over "unauthorized operations" it claimed had nonetheless continued.

"In view of this stubbornness... the Government has come to the conclusion
that collaboration with the European Union Ambassador, Mr Salvador Pinto da
Franca, is no longer possible, and has therefore officially requested his
recall and replacement as soon as possible," the statement said.

Torrential rains have caused devastating floods in the Sahel country, killing
more than 300 people and displacing more than 1.1 million since June.

But the ministry said it had never appealed to the EU for help, claiming
Niger would "cover the damage caused by the floods from its own funds".

Since taking power in a coup in July 2023, the country's military rulers have
turned their backs on former colonial ruler France and grown increasingly
frosty towards the European Union.