From EUobserver · · 1m 10s
EU Aid Suspension Sparks Drug Trafficker Debate
EU suspends Sierra Leone aid over Dutch demands for drug trafficker extradition.
In brief
EU suspends Sierra Leone aid over Dutch demands for drug trafficker extradition. The EU suspended €18m in aid to Sierra Leone after Dutch pressure to extradite Jos Leijdekkers, a convicted drug trafficker wanted by the Netherlands. Originally reported by EUobserver.
EU Aid Suspension
The EU has played down Dutch claims that it suspended aid to Sierra Leone because the country refused to extradite Jos Leijdekkers, a convicted drug trafficker wanted by the Netherlands.
Technical Reasons
Migration commissioner Magnus Brunner stated the decision to suspend support was made for 'technical reasons' after a meeting of EU justice ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday, 1 October.
“technical reasons”
Funding Details
Sierra Leone received €352m in EU funding between 2021 and 2027 under the bloc's seven-year budget framework, with €18m allocated for this year.
Dutch Pressure
Dutch justice minister David Van Weel insists the suspension resulted from months of pressure to persuade Sierra Leone's president Julius Maada Bio to hand over Jos Leijdekkers.
Aid Suspension Consequence
The EU suspended Sierra Leone's €18m aid for the year after Dutch demands to extradite Jos Leijdekkers, a convicted drug trafficker wanted by the Netherlands.
At a glance
The EU suspended €18m in aid to Sierra Leone after Dutch pressure to extradite Jos Leijdekkers, a convicted drug trafficker wanted by the Netherlands.
