The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

COMMUNIQUé from the ACP Group following the opening of consultations between the European Union and the Republic of Niger under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement

Brussels, 8 December 2009

1. On the initiative of the European Union, consultations between the Republic of Niger and the EU opened in Brussels on Monday 8 December 2009. The consultations were held in the framework of Article 96 of the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement following the political crisis in Niger which the EU considered a violation of the essential elements of the Agreement, namely democratic principles, human rights and the Rule of Law.

2. The Republic of Niger was represented by a high-powered delegation led by the Prime Minister Hon. Mr. Ali Badjo Gamatié. The ACP Group, represented by the Committee of Ambassadors and the Secretariat, took part in the consultations after meeting with the Niger delegation. Observers to the consultations were the African Union, ECOWAS, OIF and the Mediator appointed by ECOWAS to resolve the Niger crisis, H.E. Mr. Abdulsalami Abubakar, ex-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

3. Without it having been necessary to explain the reasons and circumstances that led to the referendum on the Constitution held on 4 August 2009, the legislative elections of 20 October 2009 and the passage from the semi-presidential 5th Republic to the 6th Republic based on a presidential system, the Niger delegation expressed its willingness to engage in inclusive dialogue with all the national political actors, with a view to finding a consensual solution to the present political crisis, bearing in mind the goal of ensuring the greater welfare of the people of Niger.

4. Noting, with satisfaction, the willingness of the Government of Niger to reconcile all the national political forces, the ACP Group welcomed the initial peace initiatives taken in this regard, in particular the suspension of all legal action against the opposition leaders. It urged the Government of Niger to continue its efforts.

5. The ACP Group also welcomed the willingness of Niger’s opposition to engage in constructive dialogue with the Government, as asserted by the Mediator.

6. In the light of these positive developments in the political situation in Niger, which must be encouraged and supported, the ACP Group is making an urgent appeal to the European Union to suspend the urgent measures it has adopted in its cooperation with the Republic of Niger which, in the context described above, could prove counter productive.

7. The ACP Group also calls on the European Union to support and assist the mediation process initiated by ECOWAS and entrusted to H. E. Mr. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Done in Brussels, 8 December 2009