Niger’s New Prime Minister Expresses Confidence In Overcoming ECOWAS Sanctions

Niger’s recently appointed Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, stated on Monday that his country is poised to counter the sanctions imposed by the West African bloc ECOWAS in response to last month’s coup.

Zeine, who spoke with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, expressed confidence in overcoming the current challenge they are facing, which according to him is unjust. He emphasized their determination to prevail despite the difficulties.

Recall that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), enacted punitive measures against Niger subsequent to the coup and has not excluded the possibility of employing coercive measures against the military officials responsible for the overthrow of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

The coalition has cut off financial transactions and electricity provisions, and imposed border closures on landlocked Niger, thereby obstructing crucial imports to one of the globe’s most impoverished nations.

Earlier, the military leadership had conveyed that the sanctions have impeded citizens’ access to essential medical supplies, sustenance, and power, depicting these measures as “unlawful, inhumane, and degrading.”

However, Zeine also conveyed his optimism regarding an impending visit by a Nigerian delegation and forthcoming dialogues with ECOWAS. He underscored the significance of Niger’s connections not only with Nigeria but also with the wider West African bloc.

“We have a great interest in preserving this important and historical relationship and also in having ECOWAS work on purely economic issues first,” he said.

“Because the basic principle of solidarity is to work to enable all the states that belong to this union to be in a position to create the conditions for prosperity, and also to ensure that each of the countries benefits from the solidarity of the community.”

He also urged people to “trust the new authorities.”
“We have focused our actions on serving them with complete integrity and competence,” he said.