Merkel pledges support for Niger to fight human traffickers, militants
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NIAMEY- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged more financial help to Niger, one of the world's poorest countries, to support its fight against human traffickers and militant Islamists.
Merkel met Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufouon for talks in Niamey on Monday, the second day of her trip to Africa during which the conservative leader aims to work towards curbing future migration waves and also revamp her reputation at home.
An influx of almost one million migrants into Germany last year, many from Syria and Iraq, has hit Merkel's popularity at home. A European Union agreement with Turkey has helped stem the flow from the Middle East and Asia, but thousands of people still risk the perilous Mediterranean crossing from Africa to Europe.
Speaking after talks in Niger's capital, Merkel told a news conference that Germany would support Issoufouon's government with 77 million euros ($86 million) to combat people smuggling and illegal migration in the Agadez region.
