Niger 17.06.24

• Niger's president, who was kicked out of power by the military last year, has now lost his immunity from prosecution. The president and his wife have been detained in the president's palace without a phone since last July. The junta has now been legally empowered to prosecute him on treason charges. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyjj13dmzw4o

• The US has started to withdraw their troops from Niger. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/704451-us-forces-withdraw-from-niger.html

• Niger has shut off oil exports to China via its pipeline to Benin's coast. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/niger-halts-oil-pipeline-exports-china-over-benin-spat-2024-06-14/ 

• Six Niger soldiers guarding the Niger-Benin oil pipeline have been killed in an attack. Nobody has claimed responsibility yet. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/six-niger-soldiers-killed-attack-niger-benin-oil-pipeline-security-sources-say-2024-06-13/

• The EU military partnership in Niger will end on the 30th of June. American forces will be out by mid-September, and French troops left in 2023. https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/eu-forces-now-due-to-leave-niger-by-30-june-20240528

• The IMF has reached a preliminary agreement with Niger. Once approved by the fund's board of directors, who are set to meet in July, $26.1mn will be released to the country to cover external financing needs. The review could also allow for the disbursement of another $45.3mn after the first review of the resilience and sustainability facility.  https://www.voaafrica.com/a/imf-set-to-release-70-mllion-in-aid-to-niger/7639464.html