Addis Ababa, March 14, 2024(Addis Walta) Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has lifted all economic sanctions imposed on neighboring Niger, eight months after a military coup there.
He ordered the immediate opening of borders, the resumption of commercial flights, and the supply of electricity to Niger.
Exports including livestock and onions from Niger to Nigeria have dwindled significantly.
Import-dependent Niger has suffered the lack of essential commodities, with border communities being the worst hit by these sanctions.
Last month, the West African regional body, Ecowas, agreed to lift economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea which have all seen military takeovers in the last two years.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso had earlier announced they would withdraw from Ecowas after the sanctions were imposed.
The military leaders in Niger have detained Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum since last July’s coup.