ABUJA, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — After the army seized power in Niger last year, the president of its giant neighbour Nigeria was at the forefront of demands that the junta step down, even warning that the West African bloc could use military force to oust the generals, while imposing tough sanctions and closing the border.
However just eight months later, Bola Tinubu has lifted all those restrictions.
The warm welcome for the lifting of sanctions in both Niger and across the border in northern Nigeria also shows the unpopularity of his original, hard-line position.
The about-turn was partly because Niger, along with its fellow juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali, hugely increased the stakes by saying they would pull out of Ecowas altogether, raising serious questions about the bloc’s future.
The three countries had been suspended from Ecowas, which has been urging them to return to democratic rule.
It seems Ecowas realised its waning influence after the trio went ahead to form an alliance, sever ties with France and forge closer relations with Russia.
Nigeria and Niger share strong ethnic, economic and cultural ties, with families living either side of the border.
Closing the border and cutting off the electricity, which caused blackouts in cities across Niger, also angered many.
Trade suffered – and essentials such as cement could no longer be imported. The landlocked country depends on imports brought in by road.
In Nigeria, business in the northern city of Kano – an economic hub for the region – was greatly affected because of the sanctions.
The absence of businessmen from Niger, often in town to buy products to export, was keenly felt.
Kano property developer Auwalu Yakasai is over the moon about Tinubu’s U-turn – given that the economy is suffering on multiple fronts.
“It is good news and my hope is that the economy benefits and gets better,” he said.
This joyous response from both sides may give Nigeria’s president some reprieve, Nigerian political commentator Sani Bala says.
“Niger has always been Nigeria’s friend and this move will go a long way to repair the damaged relationship.” — NNN-AGENCIES