After nearly a week of being closed due to the coup that ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s land and air borders with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, and Chad have been reopened, as announced by one of the coup plotters on national television.
The reopening comes just before the end of an ultimatum given by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional order, with the possibility of using force if the demand is not met.
Internationally, there is mounting pressure on the military behind the coup. Niger’s Western and African partners have strongly condemned the coup, leading the European Union (EU), France, and Germany to suspend aid to the country, which heavily relies on foreign support despite its uranium resources.
Niger continues to face security challenges from groups associated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda in the western and southeastern regions, adding to the difficulties faced by one of the world’s poorest nations.
READ OTHER STORIES:
LABOUR UNIONS TO SUSPEND FURTHER PROTEST AFTER FRUITFUL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TINUBU
Senate Continues Ministerial Nominees’ Screening Amid Controversy
Labour Protests Shake Abuja as Main Gate of National Assembly is Brought Down”
Surinamese Man Who Concealed 9.9kg Cocaine in Condoms Bags 13 Years in Jail