Toledo stepped into the spotlight as a focal point of international discussions this Thursday. The Castile-La Mancha city hosted the interim government in exile led by Hassoumi Massoudou, once foreign minister, who now represents the government after Niger’s military coup. The legitimately elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, has been confined in Niamey for more than a month, facing power outages and water shortages in the capital.
Massoudou outlined his country’s precarious situation before 27 foreign ministers gathered at an informal Toledo summit during Spain’s presidency of the European Council. Josep Borrell and Jose Manuel Albares, the EU and Spanish foreign ministers, stood by the Nigerien leader’s side and called for Bazoum’s release, though they did not commit to any explicit intervention plans against the coup leaders. After the meeting, Massoudou told reporters that the EU would remove political and moral support from the regime while offering no further public commitments at that moment.
French ambassador in Niamey
News from Niamey today reported that the Niger coup authorities revoked the diplomatic immunity and visas of France’s ambassador, Sylvain Itte, and his family. The situation remains tense, and the outcome is uncertain. Although the junta ordered his departure, President Emmanuel Macron instructed Paris to resist that demand, signaling that France does not recognize the military rulers. The French authorities have directed security forces to expel the diplomat.
Macron’s government has positioned itself at the forefront of European support for potential intervention. Paris sought permission from Algiers to fly over Algerian airspace but did not secure it.
ECOWAS, led by Nigeria, has prepared a plan to deploy troops into Niger, signaling readiness for action. At present, no on-the-ground movement has begun, and Paris’ stance has not been universally shared among partners focusing on Ukraine.
Both Albares and Borrell have repeatedly avoided committing whether Spain or the EU will back ECOWAS actions to restore order through force. They acknowledge the possibility of funding such a mission, yet remain cautious, emphasizing diplomacy first and awaiting a clear ECOWAS decision. They underscored a commitment to African-led solutions for Africa’s challenges and pledged to align with European partners once positions solidify.
What Spain and the rest of the Twenty-Seven decided in Toledo on Thursday was to implement a robust sanctions package against the coup leaders. The package aims to mirror measures already enacted by various African states, with Borrell noting that humanitarian exceptions could be included to avoid precipitating a broader crisis in Niger, one of the world’s poorest nations.
Gabon is not Niger
The European High Representative has repeatedly stressed the distinction between the Niger coup on July 26 and the Gabonese coup this week. He expressed doubts about the democratic legitimacy of Gabon’s elections, which handed a fresh mandate to President Ali Bongo. By contrast, Bazoum’s election in Niger was deemed fair. Both cases are not to be treated identically; inclusive dialogue remains essential for Gabon’s future.
The sequence of coups sends a clear message to Brussels, prompting a reassessment of European policy toward Africa. The situation underscores that there is no quick fix and that more thorough analysis will be needed as events unfold.
Money for Ukraine
Ukraine’s struggle remained a central topic during the informal council, with Foreign Minister Dimitro Kuleba pressing for more military support from Spain, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems, and ammunition. He criticized Western media coverage of Kyiv’s counteroffensive, urging critics to visit the front lines and see the realities firsthand.
Ministers discussed the proposal from Borrell to allocate 20 billion euros over the next four years for the European Peace Mechanism, ensuring ongoing military assistance to Ukraine in a predictable manner. There was also talk of expanding training for Ukrainian forces by EU member states.
As Spain holds the rotating presidency, the question remains whether the EU will advance Ukraine’s accession negotiations with the bloc after the anticipated Commission report in October. Albares reaffirmed Spain’s determination to initiate the process, while Kuleba expressed confidence that progress would occur within the year.