NIGER EXPELS RED CROSS, ORDERS CLOSURE OF OFFICES AND EVACUATION OF FOREIGN STAFF

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Fri 07 February 2025:

Niger’s government has terminated its agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), ordering the closure of ICRC offices and the immediate departure of foreign staff, as stated in a verbal note on January 31.

This move comes amidst growing tensions between Niger’s ruling military junta and international organizations operating in the country. The ICRC had been providing humanitarian aid, medical assistance, and support to conflict-affected communities in Niger since 1990.

A Nigerien civil society figure who works with the ICRC said it was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that denounced the organization’s headquarters agreement. Since the head of the ICRC has the rank of diplomat, a verbal note is enough to make the government’s decision official.

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According to local media, the ICRC received the note on Feb. 4 and published the results of its work in Niger during the first half of 2024 on its official website the same day.

The ICRC said in its report that it entered Niger in 1990, with offices in Diffa, Tillaberi and Tahoua; it provided medical services to 121,236 victims of armed conflicts in the first half of 2024.

To date, neither side has responded when asked to comment.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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