Niger’s junta has dragged the Nigerian government and Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to court, seeking the relaxation of the harsh sanctions imposed on the country following the late July coup that led to the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Younkaila Yaye, one of the military government attorneys, at the proceeding in Abuja on Monday, said the country is in the grip of economic depression.
Businesses are shutting down because of rising costs, hospitals and pharmaceutical stores are running out of supplies for drugs, and schools are closed, he said.
“There is no sector of the Nigerien society that has not been affected by these sanctions,” the attorney added.
After Nigerien soldiers ousted President Bazoum, the country faced economic sanctions from West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, as well as other aid-providing nations, including the U.S. imposed varying sanctions on the country.
The sanctions encompassed a range of measures, from border closures by neighbouring countries to the suspension of financial transactions with West African nations.
Niger’s assets in external banks were also frozen, and over 70 per cent of its electricity supply from Nigeria was severed.
Abdourahamane Tchiani, the president of Niger’s military government now called the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), described the sanctions as “illegal, unjust, and inhumane.” He refused to bow to pressure to reinstate Bazoum.
Yeye asked the court to relax the sanctions pending the final judgement, accusing ECOWAS of punishing Nigeriens over the coup in ways harsher than it has handled coups in other countries, “especially regarding financial transactions.”
The court adjourned until 7 December 2023.
