Niger:UN SG worried on expulsion of its representative
By Nambu Bernadette Franka
The military Government of Niger had ordered the Ambassador, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System, Her Excellency Louise Aubin to take all the useful arrangements to leave Niamey within 72 hours.
Going by the government, “The National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland (CNSP) and the Government of Niger have noted with amazement, the underhanded maneuvers that the General Secretariat of the United Nations continues to orchestrate, under the instigation of France, through all obstacles already posed with a view to thwarting the full participation of Niger in the various sequences of the meetings of the 78th Session of the General Assembly of the UN” a section of the October 10 release reads.
According to Stephane Dujarric, the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson, the expulsion of the UN coordinator from Niger will hinder UN humanitarian activities.
“This expulsion of Louise Aubin, requested within 72 hours by the regime resulting from a coup d’état in July, will hinder the ability of the UN to fulfill its mandate and disrupt essential work in Niger where 4, 3 million people need humanitarian aid, mainly women and children. This order was contrary to international rules applicable to United Nations representatives” Stéphane Dujarric is reported by African News to have emphasized on Wednesday October 11, 2023.
They further reported that, Stéphane Dujarric said: “Appointed to her position as coordinator in January 2021, Louise Aubin has exemplarily led the United Nations system in Niger to provide, impartially and tirelessly, humanitarian and development assistance, in accordance with the National Development Plan.”
“The Secretary General reiterates the unwavering commitment of the United Nations to remain and act in the service of the people of Niger, through the continuation of humanitarian and development operations,” he is further quoted to have added.
