Council adopts two assistance measures to support the Nigerien Armed Forces

The Council adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility worth €4.7 million to support the Nigerien Armed Forces with military equipment designed to deliver lethal force in full respect of relevant international law.

The assistance measure will strengthen the operational capacities of the Nigerien Armed Forces by facilitating the mobility, presence and security of the land forces in the most insecure areas of Niger through a more effective air force support. This will enhance Niger’s ability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty and to better protect the civilian population against the mounting terrorist threat.

The Council also adopted another assistance measure worth €297,000 to finance additional activities that complement the provision of military equipment to the Nigerien Armed Forces by ensuring its adequate use, maintenance, storage and monitoring.

Through these assistance measures, the EU continues to deliver on its commitments within the framework of the EU’s Integrated Strategy in the Sahel, the Partnership for Security and Stability in the Sahel (P3S), as well as the Roadmap of the International Coalition for Sahel.

They complement the EPF support of €65 million benefitting the Nigerien Armed Forces already adopted in July 2022 and March 2023 and the newly established EU military partnership mission with Niger (EUMPM).

These assistance measures further consolidate the EU-Niger defence partnership and show the EU’s clear commitment to support Niger and its people in their efforts to achieve peace and stability in Niger and across the Sahel.

Background and next steps

The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance all Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) actions in military and defence areas, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third states and regional and international organisations as regards military and defence matters.