The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is expressing serious concern about the actions of the Nigerien military against the democratically-elected Government of Niger. The MCC is worried because these actions go against the principles of democratic governance and the rule of law that the MCC believes in.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an agency of the U.S. government that works on reducing global poverty by helping economies grow. It was made in 2004.
It gives time-limited grants and support to countries that show they have good governance, fight corruption, and respect democratic rights.
The MCC works with partner countries that show a commitment to these principles. If a partner country doesn’t follow these principles, it can have big consequences for their partnership and the funding they receive.
Since 2008, the MCC has worked with the Government of Niger and given them more than $750 million for different programmes. These programmes have focused on things like helping women learn to read, making irrigation better, fixing roads, and increasing farming productivity.
Recently, the MCC was going to give Niger another $302 million to help with important things like getting agricultural products and building materials and making travel between different areas faster. But because the democratically-elected government was removed, the MCC has stopped getting ready for this new help. They’ve also stopped any new work on the previous programme they started in 2018.
The MCC’s Board of Directors will talk about what happened in Niger during their next meeting on September 13 and hope that the rightful, democratically-elected government will be back so that the MCC can start working again and keep their promise of making life better for the people of Niger.
US in Sudan
Meanwhile, the United States strongly condemns the widespread sexual violence happening in Sudan due to conflict-related situations.
Credible sources, including victims, have linked this violence to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militias. Disturbing reports of rape, gang rape, and other forms of gender-based violence against women and girls have emerged in West Darfur and other areas.
These acts of brutality are adding to a concerning pattern of violence targeting specific ethnic groups.
In a press statement through Matthew Miller, the Department Spokesperson said the country joined the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Patten in urging the RSF to denounce conflict-related sexual violence, take effective measures to prevent and address such acts, and adopt a zero-tolerance stance against sexual violence.
“We echo UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Patten in calling on the RSF to condemn CRSV, commit to effective measures to prevent and address any acts of CRSV, and declare zero-tolerance for sexual violence.
In particular, we are gravely concerned about the situation in and around Nyala, South Darfur where tens of thousands of civilians are trapped as fighting escalates between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
We call on the RSF and SAF to immediately halt the fighting and allow safe passage for all civilians out of the city. Perpetrators of atrocities must be held accountable.”
Miller stressed that the United States deeply addresses sexual violence during conflicts, which is a top priority for the U.S. government.
This commitment is evident in the Presidential Memorandum signed by President Biden in November 2022. This memorandum guides the use of a range of tools, including legal, policy, diplomatic, and financial measures, to deter and combat such violence.
US action in Nigeria
Molly Phee, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, is embarking on a trip to Nigeria, Chad, and Ghana from August 25 to 29, 2023.
During this journey, her main focus will be engaging with regional leaders, aiming to discuss U.S. assistance for ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and regional leadership in addressing the crisis in Niger.
In Chad, Phee plans to assess ongoing developments concerning Chad’s neighbouring countries, namely Niger and Sudan, as well as Chad’s political transition.
Throughout her discussions, her primary objective will be to highlight the shared objectives of safeguarding Niger’s established democracy and securing the prompt release of President Bazoum, his family, and other unjustly detained government officials.
Assistant Secretary Phee will also hold consultations with senior officials in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Togo.
In these conversations, she will emphasise the United States’ unwavering support for ECOWAS’ principled stance in defense of democracy and the rightful order established by the constitution.
