Niamey does not need permission from Brussels to make its security decisions, the West African nation has said

Niger has summoned the European Union’s acting chargé d’affaires and accused the bloc of interfering in its sovereign affairs after Brussels questioned the legal basis and purpose of Algeria’s deployment of troops to the West African state.

Olai Voionmaa was called to Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine’s office on Monday over comments by EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni, the Nigerien Foreign Ministry said. Niamey described the remarks as “condescending and unacceptable.”

“Niger does not receive injunctions from any country or institution,” the authorities said, adding that the country “does not need permission from Brussels” to exercise its sovereignty.

The dispute follows Algeria’s decision last month to deploy army units to northern Niger at Niamey’s request.…