Niger and Qatar discuss strengthening strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Ahmed Salem
On Tuesday, Bakary Yaw Sangare, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad, received Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, during a working visit to the State of Qatar.
During this meeting, the Nigerien Foreign Minister delivered a written message of condolence from His Excellency General Abdourahmane Tiani, President of the Republic and Head of State.
He also conveyed the solidarity of the three heads of state of the Sahel Union with senior Qatari officials, on the death of His Highness the Emir of the country, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Then His Excellency the Minister held a working meeting with the Minister of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Abdul Aziz Saleh Al-Kaloufi.
The talks between the officials focused on the excellent relations between Niger and Qatar, their strengthening, and future prospects.
This comes as part of Niger's ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships aimed at fostering fruitful cooperation with its international partners. The Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Niger to the State of Qatar, Amadou Madougou.
Niger hosts consultations between Sahel countries and the Russian Federation
Earlier, the Nigerien capital hosted, on Wednesday, the second round of consultations between the foreign ministers of the Sahel countries and the Russian Federation at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre.
This important meeting brings together Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Niger.
This high-level meeting is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between the Union of Sahel States and the Russian Federation.
Through these consultations, both parties reaffirm their shared commitment to consolidating a partnership based on mutual respect, state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and the promotion of fruitful cooperation to serve their peoples.
The convening of this second session in Niamey also highlights the growing role of the Sahel Union as a key player in regional and international cooperation, as well as the strength of friendly relations and cooperation between the Sahel countries, Europe, and the Russian Federation.
The International Criminal Court expresses its regret over the withdrawal of Sahel countries
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have officially begun procedures to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, after depositing their notifications with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. This marks the start of a full year's legal deadline before the withdrawal takes effect, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute.
The three countries are led by military councils that came to power through successive coups. They are members of the Sahel Alliance, which has recently adopted a policy of reviewing its relations with a number of regional and international organizations.
The presidency of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court expressed its regret over the decision of the three countries, affirming that withdrawal could weaken international efforts to combat impunity and undermine attempts to achieve justice for victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The court affirmed that the withdrawal of any state does not nullify its legal obligations concerning cases and proceedings that began before the withdrawal took effect, nor does it affect ongoing investigations that fall within the court's jurisdiction.
