Europe needs a plan for Africa

Amidst the complexity of the situation in Niger, the losers are already clear: The people in one of the poorest countries in the world are temporarily cut off from much-needed assistance. Development aid can only flow again through a negotiated solution.

The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development promptly suspended its aid, as did the World Bank, the EU, and of course, France. However, Niger is particularly reliant on Western assistance. The partner that has been crucial for the EU in curbing irregular migration from sub-Saharan countries had committed to providing around half a billion euros in aid from 2021 to 2024. This was intended to primarily advance governance and education.

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