Germany halts financial assistance and development cooperation with Niger.

A foreign ministry spokesman told a press briefing. “suspended all direct support payments to the central government of Niger until further notice.”

He added, “depending on developments in the coming days, we may take further measures,” without giving further details.

The development ministry had also decided to “suspend bilateral development cooperation,” a spokeswoman told the briefing.

Over the weekend, the European Union and France, the former colonial power, suspended financial aid to Niger and halted security cooperation. Germany, which has approximately 100 troops stationed in Niger and operates a significant air transport and logistics base in Niamey, the capital city, is involved in Berlin’s withdrawal of personnel from neighboring Mali. This withdrawal comes as a response to the UN’s decision to conclude the peacekeeping mission in Mali.

A defence ministry spokesman said operations at the base had been suspended but added that “the threat situation has not changed” since the putsch, and personnel there were well.

The foreign ministry clarified that there are no current arrangements to evacuate Germans from Niger.

In the Sahel region, Niger’s elected president and Western ally, Mohamed Bazoum, has been in military custody since last Wednesday, marking the third coup in as many years to overthrow a leader.

General Abdourahamane Tiani, who leads the influential presidential guard, has declared himself as the new leader. On Sunday, African leaders issued a one-week ultimatum to the junta, demanding them to relinquish power or potentially face the use of force.