The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm the long-standing relations between Niger and Switzerland and to discuss the current political and security challenges facing Niger and the wider West African subregion. Niger shared its assessment of the situation and outlined its future goals and aspirations.
In particular, the prospects for normalising relations between Niger and a number of partner countries and organisations, which were disrupted following the events of 26 July 2023, were discussed. Switzerland stressed the importance of dialogue between all the parties concerned, at national, regional and international level, with a view to finding viable and lasting political solutions.
The visit provided the opportunity to discuss in depth the structure and content of a dialogue process and confirmed Niger's wish to benefit from Switzerland's good offices. Offering good offices is enshrined in Switzerland's constitution and is a key instrument of its Foreign Policy Strategy 2024–27.
Since 1978, Niger has been a priority country for Swiss international cooperation, and the SDC maintains an office there, where its approach combines development cooperation, humanitarian aid and peace promotion. The Sahel is also a priority region in Switzerland's Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 2021–24.
Further information:
Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 2021–24
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
