Nigeria has successfully restored power supply to Niger Republic for the first time in seven months, following the lifting of sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Niger.
News About Nigeria reports that the regional bloc made the announcement during its 24th session in Abuja, Nigeria.
ECOWAS decided to lift several sanctions against Niger to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerien people.
These sanctions included the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, the institution of a no-fly zone on commercial flights to and from Niger, suspension of commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger, freeze of assets of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks, suspension of Niger from financial assistance and transactions with institutions like EBID and BOAD, and a travel ban on government officials and their family members.
The decision to lift these sanctions followed a military coup in July 2023 that led to the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Mohamed Bazoum.
Seven out of the eight states in Niger heavily rely on electricity supplied from Nigeria through a longstanding trade agreement between the two countries.
The power supply was suspended due to the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS.
Following the recent reconnection at the transmission station in Nigeria’s Kebbi state, electricity supply was sustained throughout Wednesday night in the seven states.
The move was welcomed by residents, especially as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.
Last week, while speaking at the Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of States and Government on Political, Peace, and Security in the ECOWAS region in Abuja, where the sanction was lifted, President Bola Tinubu said that the regional bloc is committed to safeguarding the democratic principles of West African countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.
He noted that the possibility of lasting peace, security, and prosperity in the West African region remained high, adding that the Committee will unite to navigate the challenges and ensure that a lasting solution is found to the issues.
