Niger: The month of Ramadan approaching/ECOWAS announces the lifting of sanctions imposed in the wake of the 26 July putsch
According to various media sources, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intends to lift the sanctions imposed on Niger the day before Ramadan, which begins on March 10 in Muslim-majority African countries. This measure aims to alleviate the economic and humanitarian impact of the security and political crisis following the ousting of President Bazoum.
For ECOWAS, this suspension is seen as extending a «helping hand» to Niger and contributing to reversing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the regional community.
It’s worth noting that the sanctions, deemed «inhumane and degrading», were imposed on Niger following the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The objective was to exert pressure on the military authorities that took power in the coup to return to constitutional order.
These measures have had severe consequences on the people, exacerbating chronic food insecurity for vulnerable groups.
The population has been deprived of electricity supplied by Nigeria and faced shortages of medicines, cereals, and imported food items such as sugar, powdered milk, and vegetable oil.
However, these measures did not sway the new rulers of the country, who chose to align themselves with two other countries also led by military juntas, which have become their allies in recent times.
As a reminder, Benin, through which most Nigerien imports transit, is one of the countries that strictly implemented ECOWAS measures.
Recently, Beninese authorities announced the suspension of sanctions against Niger and the resumption of commercial exchanges.
Cedric KABORE
