FM Szijjártó: Africa’s Sahel region stability important to us

The stability of Africa’s Sahel region is critically important, the Hungarian foreign minister said on Tuesday, arguing that stability in the area made it less likely that large groups of migrants would set off for Europe again.

The situation in the region’s key country, Niger, remains “critical”, with the military having “practically taken the president hostage”, Péter Szijjártó said on Facebook.

The minister said he had discussed on the phone the situation in Niger with his French counterpart, Catherine Colonna, on Tuesday, adding they were in agreement on the need to stand by the country’s democratically elected president and the restoration of constitutionality, in line with the international statements made in the matter.

The international community and most regional organisations have expressed support for Niger’s president, Szijjártó said. “We have done likewise, as the region’s stability is critically important for us, too,” he added.

Because if there is stability in the Sahel region, then it is far less likely that more migration waves will start making their way towards Europe, and a further aggravation of the threat of terrorism can be prevented, Szijjártó said.