EU Mission Heads Leave Niger After Dispute
Following weeks of conflict over the conclusion of the EU’s civilian mission in Niger (EUCAP), a Danish operations chief and a German mission chief have departed from the country, landing in Brussels. The EU confirmed the departure of all international personnel from the mission area. EU initially planned to leave Niger in May but expedited the withdrawal after a February dispute with Niger’s interim military government. The disagreement involved an EUCAP arms transport allegedly without permission, leading to a weapons confiscation at EUCAP headquarters. The EU denounced the search as a breach of trust, arguing that the equipment was properly declared and needed for protection. Claims of weapons found in private residence connected to a French EUCAP member were denied by EU sources.