Niger Republic Reopens Border With Nigeria

The Niger Republic has reopened its border with Nigeria in the regions of Diffa, Tahoua, Maradi, and Dosso.

Recall that the land border between the two countries was closed as a result of the coup d’état on July 26 and the subsequent sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

A source, Nuhu Samaila, who briefed PUNCH from Konni, in the Niger Republic, said the border was declared open at exactly noon on Friday.

He commended the decision of the leadership of the country, the military junta, to give a listening ear to the yearnings of the people by ensuring the border is open.

The Nigerien Ministry of Interior was said to have issued instructions to the governors of these border regions on Thursday, to allow the reopening at exactly midnight through a radio message broadcast on social networks.

Additionally, the ministry has mandated the governors to enhance controls and security measures along the 1,500-kilometre stretch of the land boundary.

While Nigeria had already opened its border weeks ago after the lifting of ECOWAS sanctions, Niger had not reciprocated the action until now.

However, the border with Benin, a country rich in uranium, remains closed on the Niger side, despite Beninese authorities promptly implementing the ECOWAS directive.

The transitional authorities in Niger had previously cited security concerns as the reason for not reopening the border with their southern neighbours.