The World Bank has announced that it has stopped funding for all its projects in Niger, following a coup attempt by some military officers on Wednesday. The bank said it was concerned about the security situation and the respect for constitutional order in the West African nation.
The bank said it was “alarmed” by the efforts to overthrow the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum, who took office in April after a peaceful transition of power. The bank said it was in contact with the authorities and other partners to monitor the situation and support the restoration of stability and democracy.
“In response, the World Bank has paused disbursements for all operations until further notice other than private sector partnerships which will continue with caution,” the bank said in a statement on Thursday.
The bank said it had approved $1.5 billion in financing for Niger for the 2018-2023 period, focusing on areas such as health, education, agriculture, water, energy, and governance. The bank said it was committed to supporting Niger’s development and poverty reduction efforts, but that this depended on the preservation of peace and democracy.
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