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Ph:DR: Since the ECOWAS sanctions imposed on Niger, cross-border trade between this country and those in the region remains at a standstill.
Six months after the military coup that toppled Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and regional sanctions that were imposed against the ruling junta, cross-border trade between this country and those in the region remains at a standstill. Many of the traders and transporters who depend on traffic with Niger are fed up and deplore the bad faith of ECOWAS leaders according to a publication in the newspaper, L’Economiste du Bénin.
“We are tired and we urge the ECOWAS leaders to have pity on the people and immediately lift these sanctions. Enough is enough. Although I have a family to support, my boss hasn’t even paid me since this sanction regime was put in place. The boss had to fire my two conveyors because there was nothing more to do. It’s truly sad “Noël, a transporter in the region told the newspaper L’Economiste du Bénin.
Normally and depending on the season, Christmas leaves Cotonou for Niger with tons of goods loaded at the Port of Cotonou and returns with onions and other agricultural products which will be distributed to other countries in the region.
According to the European Center for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), Niger is one of the largest onion exporters with extensive trade networks spread across the ECOWAS region and beyond. Other agricultural exports include livestock and related products, cowpeas (small beans), and gum arabic. Moreover, Ghana imports up to two million dollars of onions from Niger every week.
According to four ECDPM experts, Bruce Byies, Poorva Karkare, Amanda Bison and Martin Ronceray, who wrote a research paper on the impact of regional sanctions in Niger, informal West African cross-border trade – on a large scale and largely food – represents nearly 30% of regional trade. “Although often overlooked, it is an important system that supports rural and urban societies, but is seriously disrupted by economic sanctions” they regretted.
Niger’s neighbors at bay
“The sanctions have a negative impact not only on Niger but also on its neighbors. Niger’s trade with countries outside the region passes through the Port of Cotonou, in Benin. As an entrepot state, Benin depends on transit trade in the region, both formal and informal. It is the main gateway to Niger; in fact, 70 to 80% of commercial volumes transiting through the port of Cotonou are intended for Niger” explain the ECDPM experts cited above.
Youssouf, a trader from the region, regrets the dictatorial attitude of the ECOWAS leaders and the arrogance of the Nigerien military junta who, instead of negotiating to find a peaceful solution to this problem, each prefers to stick to their position. “The suffering of the populations means absolutely nothing to them because these sanctions do not affect them. It’s ordinary people like you and me who suffer from this, it’s really deplorable!
