EU recalls its envoy from Niger after ruling junta accuses it of mishandling aid

ISTANBUL

The European Union announced on Saturday that it had recalled its envoy from Niger.

The move came after the ruling junta questioned the way the bloc delivered aid to the West African country.

"The European Union expresses its profound disagreement with the allegations and justifications put forward by the transitional authorities," the European External Action Service (EEAS) said on Saturday.

"Consequently, the EU has decided to recall its Ambassador from Niamey for consultations in Brussels," it added.

On Friday, Niger's junta issued a statement accusing the EU ambassador in the country of mismanaging a $1.35 million (€1.3 million) fund intended for flood victims.

The junta claimed that the fund was allocated to several international NGOs in a lack of transparency, without sufficient collaboration with local authorities.