Niger: the country reopens its border with Nigeria

Niger reopened its doors to Nigeria on the night of Thursday March 21 to Friday March 22, 2024. The land border between the two countries was closed following the coup d'état of July 26 and the ECOWAS sanctions that followed. Last month, the regional organization decided to lift the sanctions against the Sahelian country that its neighbor implemented around ten days ago. But until now, Niger was still reluctant to reopen its border.

A trader approaches the border, then closed, between Niger and Nigeria in Jibia, February 17, 2024. © Kola Sulaimon / AFP

By: RFI Follow

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It was at midnight that

Niger

was to reopen its 1,500 kilometers of border with

Nigeria

. In a radio message broadcast on social networks, the Ministry of the Interior of the Sahelian country instructed the governors of the border regions of Diffa, Tahoua, Maradi and Dosso to once again authorize entries and exits with its large southern neighbor.

The government also ordered governors to strengthen controls and security along the land demarcation.

The border was closed for security reasons, according to the transitional authorities

This is the first border that Niger has decided to reopen, despite the lifting of ECOWAS sanctions last month. After

the summit in Abuja

, neighboring Benin immediately implemented

the decision of the regional organization

. But until now, it is still closed on the Niger side, for security reasons,

a source in the transitional authorities  

told

RFI .

The CNSP junta suspects Benin and Nigeria of harboring French bases on their territories, whose mission would be to harm the interests of the Sahelian country.

Also listen Departure of American troops from Niger: “A hard blow for both parties”

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