NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY CONDEMNS MILITARY COUP IN NIGER
January 28, 1996 No. 12
AXWORTHY CONDEMNS MILITARY COUP IN NIGER
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today strongly condemned the military
takeover in Niger in which the democratically elected government, the first in the
West African country's history, was overthrown. Mr. Axworthy also announced a
moratorium on new official Canadian aid to the Government of Niger, with immediate
effect.
"This unfortunate and unjustified action by a small group of military officers
represents a step backward for the people of Niger," said Mr. Axworthy. "The
military should take immediate steps to release President Mahamane Ousmane and
Prime Minister Hama Amadou and allow them to return to office."
The Minister, in consultation with the Minister for International Cooperation and
la Francophonie, Pierre Pettigrew, also announced that Canadian bilateral
cooperation with the Government of Niger was suspended until civilian rule would
be restored. Bilateral consultations with Niger authorities, planned for Ottawa
in March, have been put on hold until further notice.
Approximately $6.07 million in bilateral aid to Niger is disbursed by the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA).
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