Nigeriens welcomed the lifting of certain sanctions imposed on the country by West Africa’s regional bloc following last year’s coup.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had suspended trade and imposed strict sanctions last July after Niger’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, was ousted in a military coup.
However, with little indication of Bazoum’s imminent restoration – he remains imprisoned in the presidential palace in Niamey – the bloc’s threat of military intervention has diminished.
On Saturday, ECOWAS announced the lifting of some sanctions, including a no-fly zone, border closures, and asset freezes.
The sanctions have severely impacted Niger, where the poverty rate exceeds 40 percent according to the World Bank.
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The news of their partial lifting was met with joy. Abdoul Aziz Issoufou in Niamey expressed happiness, likening it to a day of celebration, anticipating a return to normalcy.
He hopes for a drop in basic commodity prices ahead of the upcoming Ramadan in mid-March, easing the burden on families.
In Tahoua, celebrations erupted with car horns blaring and motorbike and car parades.
However, economist Hima Garba cautioned that despite the jubilation, Niger still grapples with violence and jihadist attacks along its borders.
The Nigerien authorities had not yet issued a statement regarding the lifting of sanctions.
Alongside Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea – also affected by coups – were suspended from ECOWAS.
