Niger | The closure of borders ordered by ECOWAS is already suffocating regional trade

The measure has paralyzed the transit of merchandise trucks, which are mostly loaded with food. This raises fears of a possible food crisis.

The crisis in Niger is already affecting regional trade. Countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have largely closed their borders with the country as part of a sanctions package against the coup junta.

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The measure has paralyzed the transit of merchandise trucks, which are mostly loaded with food. This raises fears of a possible food crisis.

“We left our families precisely to look for food for them. We don’t know what is happening, we are trapped here. Today we have been paralyzed for 16 days. We ask the African population to solve their problems, to let us pass, we will unload our luggage, we will give the back and we will return to our families in peace, as we should,” said Issiaka Bassé, a truck driver.

ECOWAS troops could intervene at any time in Niger, according to its leaders, to restore constitutional order.

This Friday, dozens of Nigerien citizens, supporters of the coup, protested in front of a French military base to demand the departure of the 1,500 French soldiers who are in the African country.

“France out”, “We want our sovereignty”, “Long live Russia” and “Long live Tiani (in reference to the Nigerien coup leader)” were some of the slogans chanted by the protesters, among whom were many young people.

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