Following a coup that overthrew the country’s government, Nigeria has reduced its exports of electricity to the neighbouring Niger.
According to an unnamed source from the Niger power utility, Nigeria has cut off the high-voltage line that carries electricity to Niger as of yesterday (August 1), the AFP reported.
In late July, a group of military leaders overthrew the government of Niger, and the army of that nation formally endorsed the coup. The Economic Community of West African States, a grouping of other African nations, immediately imposed sanctions on Niger.
However, other militarily-led nations in the region backed the coup, with Mali and Burkina Faso issuing warnings against any outside attempts to overthrow the newly elected government of Niger. According to the two, any attempt at intervention would amount to a declaration of war against them as well, according to a report this week by Al Jazeera.
The use of force has been threatened by ECOWAS unless the Niger junta restores the elected president. One official stated, “The military option is the very last option on the table, the last resort, but we have to prepare for the eventuality.”
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The ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, added, “We need to show that we can do more than just bark.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the newly elected self-declared leader of Niger, for his part, denounced the EVCOWAS sanctions as “inhumane” and “illegal” and declared he would resist the pressure they were applying.
The nation in Western Africa is a former French colony and a significant uranium supplier to France and other nuclear power plants in Europe. Additionally, 70% of its electricity needs are met by Niger.
Uranium exports to the EU have raised some concerns in the wake of the coup, but Euratom said there was no immediate risk to supply, even if Niger stopped exporting the commodity, Reuters reported this week.
