European Union countries have started laying the groundwork to impose the first sanctions on members of the junta that seized power in Niger last month, European sources told Reuters on Wednesday, Report informs.
The new military leaders have so far rejected international diplomatic efforts at mediation.
Neighboring countries backing the armed takeover called on the United Nations to prevent a military intervention threatened by other West African states.
An EU official involved in sanctions work and an EU diplomat said the bloc has started discussing the criteria for punitive measures. The official said that would include “undermining of democracy” in Niger and was likely to be agreed soon.
“The next step would be sanctions against individual members of the junta” deemed responsible, the EU diplomat said.