It's safe to say. The European Union doesn't like Nathalie Yamb's activism. The organization harshly sanctioned the Swiss-Cameroonian for her "pro-Russian" stance at the end of June. The Lady of Sochi, as she is nicknamed, is banned from entering and transiting the Schengen area. Her assets in the EU are frozen, and she cannot benefit directly or indirectly from funds or economic resources from the European Community area.

“Impossible to buy a plane ticket, listen to music, take an Uber…”

These punitive measures hit the Pan-Africanist activist hard, as she testifies in a video published on X.

"At an extraordinary pace, I experienced the tentacles of the extraterritoriality of European lawlessness. One after the other, my credit cards on accounts in Switzerland, Africa, and online banks were blocked. My accounts themselves were blocked; my cryptos inaccessible. My Paypal accounts were closed, as were my Amazon, Airbnb, Deezer, and Ebay accounts. Contracts canceled. Impossible to pay my rent, my taxes, my insurance, my lawyers, my medication. Impossible to buy a plane ticket, listen to music, take an Uber, place an order online, or pay a hotel bill," Nathalie Yamb had reeled off.

On Monday, August 11, 2025, she was received by Nigerien President General Abdourahmane Tiani. They discussed EU sanctions, of course. A few weeks later, we learned that she had been appointed special advisor to the putschist.

“Every obstacle they place in the path of African peoples in search of emancipation becomes…”

In a message published on Facebook yesterday, Wednesday, the activist "expressed her deep gratitude to the President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State, Army General Abdourahmane Tiani, for the confidence shown through his appointment" to this position. This gesture, according to her, is "an act of solidarity and recognition of our collective fight for African sovereignty and dignity."

"To those who believe that sanctions, threats, lies, harassment, and attempts at isolation could silence us, the reality is clear: our resolve is intact. Every obstacle they place in the path of African peoples' quest for emancipation becomes another step toward our common victory," she continued.

By appointing her as special advisor, General Tiani effectively granted her a diplomatic passport.

An appointment that does not help her out of the situation

A document that does nothing to address her mobility issues within the Schengen area. Remember that a diplomatic passport does not allow you to travel to a country where you are prohibited from entering, as it is a travel document that facilitates travel for official missions, but does not grant immunity or special rights that override the laws of a state within its territory. The Lady of Sochi therefore cannot enter or fly over Switzerland's neighboring countries, which are all EU members. That is, France, Austria, Germany, and Italy.

This diplomatic passport is, by all accounts, a sticking plaster on a wooden leg in the face of EU sanctions. However, the appointment of Ms. Yamb as special advisor can be seen as a comforting measure for the activist, especially since she is deprived of resources. If we believe her claims.