Following a coup in July that led to the ouster of president Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s military government requested on Tuesday that sanctions imposed on the nation by its neighbors be lifted.
Younkaila Yaye, one of the government’s attorneys, argued at the hearing in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, that “these sanctions” have had an impact on every aspect of Nigerien society, making them the poorest nation in the world.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed a number of economic sanctions following the overthrow of Bazoum by soldiers posing as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). Other nations that had offered assistance for infrastructure, security, and health needs, including the United States, also stopped doing so.
Aid made up almost half of Niger’s annual budget prior to the coup. More than 70% of Nigeria’s electricity, which was supplied, was cut off as a result of the neighboring countries’ closure of their borders. There was a halt to financial dealings with West African nations. Numerous millions of dollars in aid were withheld, and Nigeria’s assets in foreign banks were frozen.
In an effort to stop the wave of coups in the Sahel, the regional bloc imposed the strictest sanctions yet. However, they haven’t had much of an effect on the government’s ambition, which has strengthened its grip on power while millions of Nigeris are struggling to survive.
The government’s attorneys explained how the sanctions are harming Niger at the hearing, including the fact that there aren’t enough supplies for kids to go back to school. There aren’t enough supplies in the drug stores. Due to rising costs, businesses are closing down.
Yaye claimed that ECOWAS “especially regarding financial transactions” punished Nigeriens for the coup in a harsher manner than it has handled coups in other nations.
In anticipation of the final decision, the government requested that the court loosen the sanctions. ECOWAS, however, objected to their demand.
The ECOWAS attorney, Francois Kanga-Penond, argued that the government lacks the authority to bring such a case to court because it is not recognized by the bloc’s protocol.
Up until December 7, the court was adjourned.
