The European Union’s controversial migration policy suffered another setback in Africa after Niger’s military government revoked a law banning migrant smuggling in the West African country. All penalties imposed under the law have also been lifted, according to a decree published on Monday by junta leader Abdourahmane Tchiani. The provision was passed in May 2015, under significant influence from the EU, and stipulated prison sentences of up to 30 years for people engaged in the transport, accommodation or employment of migrants. As a “reward” for the adoption of “Loi 36”, the EU provided the Nigerian government with hundreds of millions of euros in support. Among other things, Brussels also funded patrols that monitored compliance with the new regulations.
