ECOWAS Sanctions On Niger Republic over coup have caused untold economic hardship, starvation, and death in the country.
Newsonline Nigeria reports that the stringent sanctions imposed on the Niger Republic by the Economic Community of West African States and the West African Monetary and Economic Union have been causing death and starvation in the country.
This Nigeria News platform recalls that ECOWAS suspended all commercial transactions with Niger, frozen its state assets in the regional central bank, frozen assets of the state and state enterprises in commercial banks, and suspended all financial assistance with regional development banks.
The financial sanctions could lead to a default on Niger’s debt repayments.
Newsonline Nigeria reports that a planned $51 million bond issuance by Niger in the West African regional debt market was canceled by the regional central bank following the imposition of sanctions. Niger had planned to raise $834 million from the regional debt market in 2023.
The ECOWAS sanctions also meant Nigeria cut the power supply to the country on the 80-megawatt Birnin-Kebbi line, while Ivory Coast suspended imports and exports of Nigerien goods.
West Africa’s regional central bank, the BCEAO, shut down its branches in Niger, citing risks to operations.
Sanctions on the Niger Republic by the West Bloc
European Union
The European Union, one of Niger’s biggest contributors, has suspended its financial support and cooperation on security with Niger.
The EU allocated $554 million from its budget to improve governance, education and sustainable growth in Niger over 2021-2024, according to its website.
France
France, another major partner of its former colony, suspended development aid and budget support with immediate effect, demanding a prompt return to constitutional order.
French development aid for Niger was around $130 million in 2022 and expected to be slightly higher this year.
France also has around 1,500 troops in Niger. It relied on Niger after it withdrew its counter-insurgency troops from neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Netherlands
The Dutch government, which was supporting development and security programs in Niger, temporarily suspended its direct cooperation with the government following the coup.
United States
The United States, a major provider of humanitarian and security aid, paused assistance programs to Niger valued at more than $100 million over the military takeover, pressing the junta to reinstate the elected government.
The U.S. has previously warned that the coup could lead to the suspension of all cooperation.
So far in fiscal 2023, it has provided nearly $138 million in humanitarian assistance. There are about 1,100 U.S. troops in Niger, where the U.S. military operates from two bases.
Canada
Canada suspended direct development assistance and expressed support for ECOWAS’ mediation efforts for Niger to return to constitutional order.
World Bank
The World Bank suspended disbursements until further notice, except for private-sector partnerships which it said will continue with caution.
Niger has one of the largest World Bank portfolios in Africa, amounting to $4.5 billion, and it has also received $600 million in direct budget support from the bank between 2022 and 2023.
Sanctions On Niger Republic Over Coup Causes Starvation, Death
Newsonline Nigeria reports that the stringent sanctions imposed on the Niger Republic by the Economic Community of West African States and the West African Monetary and Economic Union among others have caused untold economic hardship, starvation, and death in the country.
Many souls have been reportedly lost since the Nigerian Government under President Bola Tinubu closed its borders and cut off electricity supply to Niger Republic as a means to push the coupists to restore democratic government in the country.
Power outages are unusual in Niger, which normally has regular and reliable supplies.
Niger Republic depends on Nigeria for 70 percent of its electricity supply generated from the Kainji Dam.
According to a source in Niger Republic, Dr. Abdoul Djibou, there have been reports from Dosso Regional Hospital and Cominak Hospital about the recent spike in infant mortality.
According to him, over 40 babies die daily in Nigerien Hospitals since the Nigerian government cut off the Electricity supply to Niger and also closed its borders.
It has affected hospitals badly as they’re unable to power their incubators and other life-supporting equipment to assist these babies. He also mentioned that the closed borders have made it nearly impossible for hospitals to access petroleum products especially Diesel and Petrol to power their plants and generators.
This is aside from the untold hardships that the general populace are grasping in Niger.
Dr. Abdoul made a passionate appeal for the Nigerian government to reconsider its decision even though backed by the ECOWAS.
He stressed the need for the Nigerian government to remember that the people of Niger are more like an extension of northern Nigeria.
In his opinion, he believed strongly that the ongoing negotiations with the Junta leaders will yield results and stressed the need for the negotiations to be intensified instead of beating the drums of war and upholding the current stiff sanctions that have now crippled the economy and the health sector especially.
