EU Council Plans to Approve €72 Million Budget for EU’s Security and Immigration Mission in Niger

According to Statewatch, this mission is tasked with supporting “Nigerien security actors in the fight against terrorism and organised crime” as well as the development of “policies, techniques, and procedures to effectively control and fight immigration,” AtoZSerwisPlus.pl reports.

It has been explained that under an indirect regime, the funds allocated will be implemented by the EUCAP Sahel Niger. Moreover, it was noted that in accordance with the EU’s strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel, the mission attempts to enable the authorities of Niger to develop a framework and further operationalise their existing ones.

According to the new Decision, the EU’s security and immigration mission in Niger should provide for developing an integrated, sustainable, and human-rights approach among Nigerien security actors. Additionally, assistance will be provided to central and local authorities as well as security bodies to develop techniques, policies, and procedures that will help to effectively control and fight irregular migration.

Statewatch emphasises that EUCAP Sahel Niger does not have executive powers. However, it is tasked with improving cooperation between Nigerien security actors and strengthening the capacity of security forces through advice, training and mentoring activities.

Furthermore, it assists the Niger security forces in developing procedures and techniques to effectively control and fight irregular migration and facilitating regional and international coordination in the fight against terrorism, irregular migration, and organised crime.

“It should also assist the ‘regionalisation’ of CSDP actions in the Sahel by contributing to the improvement of interoperability and coordination between the internal security forces of G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger), supporting cross-border cooperation and regional cooperation structures and improving national capabilities,” Statewatch added.

Additionally, it was pointed out that the budget set aside almost €2.3 million for a project on interoperability, which is the costliest of all the other projects.

As for further activities, reference is made to the joint civil-military Concept of Operation on Regionalisation of CSDP actions in the Sahel. Training, advice, and support for the Sahel countries may also be provided by the EUCAP Sahel Niger.

The €72 million set aside for the activities mentioned above will be divided into two instalments. The first instalment will be given in the period from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. On the other hand, the second instalment will be given in the period from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.