Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Niger following the 26 July coup is a further worrying development in a region already experiencing instability and insecurity. I am particularly concerned by the humanitarian situation in Niger, which will be further exacerbated by the political unrest and uncertainty affecting the country.

I continue to engage closely with my EU colleagues on the situation in Niger, most recently at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in New York on 18 September where we discussed the EU response to events in Niger as well as the wider Sahel region. A focus of EU discussions on Niger has been the impact on the population. The EU and its Member States’ are committed to continuing to respond to the humanitarian need in the country.

Ireland, along with our EU partners, is strongly supportive of the leadership role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in responding to the crisis in Niger. The EU maintains regular contact with ECOWAS on this issue. I reaffirmed this support to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray when he joined the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Toledo on 31 August. A peaceful return to democratic government must continue to be the key objective and Ireland firmly supports ECOWAS’ efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Ireland maintains diplomatic relations with Niger through our Permanent Representation to the United Nations in New York. Our Embassy in Nigeria has consular responsibility for Niger, and has been following events in the country closely. At this time, there are no Irish citizens in Niger who have registered with the Embassy.