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The sanctions are the most stringent yet imposed by the regional bloc to stem the tide of coups in Africa’s volatile Sahel region. But they have had little or no impact on the junta’s ambition. Instead, they have hit hard Niger’s more than 25 million people
Niger is reeling under multiple sanctions. The impact is being felt more on the vulnerable group of people. After the toppling of Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, the country faced economic sanctions from West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, as well as Western and European countries including the United States. Niger was getting aid from these regions for health, security, and infrastructure needs.
The sanctions are the most stringent yet imposed by the regional bloc to stem the tide of coups in Africa’s volatile Sahel region. But they have had little or no impact on the junta’s ambition. Instead, they have hit Niger’s more than 25 million people.
The world’s third least developed nation, according to U.N. estimates, Niger in 2021 received US$1.77 billion in assistance, more than half for humanitarian aid as well as social infrastructure and services. These channels are blocked now. Even the country’s 2023 budget, which was meant to be largely funded through the now-withheld external support from donors and loans, has been slashed by 40%.
Apparently, the sanctions have emboldened the junta. It has set up a transitional government that could remain in power for up to three years. That appears to have the support of many Nigeriens who felt the democratic government performed below their expectations. The ground-level situation has not changed much after switching over to democracy. In vulnerable countries, people expect change to take root faster than what the donors and multilateral organizations feel.
Many drugstores across Niger are running out of essential supplies, despite its huge public health emergencies emanating from cholera. Desperate for a solution, pharmacies have started to give patients alternative medications to the ones they require. Food is also running short. Rising inflation and high food prices are significantly impacting communities’ capacity to make ends meet.
Niger is West Africa’s second-largest country in landmass but it is landlocked, leaving it heavily reliant on trade with neighbors that now has paused. Food and drug supplies were among the top imported products last year. Now, at the border with Benin, trucks loaded with goods and relief items are lined up for several kilometers (miles) waiting to enter Niger, though some are in transit to other countries.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/eu-to-impose-sanctions-on-niger-exempt-humanitarian-works/
https://trendsnafrica.com/algeria-suspends-mediation-efforts-with-niger/
More than 9,000 metric tons (9,920 tons) of WFP cargo, including specialized foods for the treatment and prevention of malnutrition, destined for Niger and neighbouring Burkina Faso remain blocked between Benin and Togo, the U.N. food agency said.
