Following the recent coup in Niger, major cities in the country are grappling with rolling power outages.
Niger’s electricity company, Nigelec, attributes the power shortages to Nigeria’s decision to curtail supplies to its northern neighbor.
The West African trading bloc, Ecowas, has imposed sanctions on Niger in response to the coup, but it has not clarified whether these sanctions encompass electricity provisions.
Ecowas defense leaders are currently convening in Nigeria to address the crisis unfolding in Niger.
In response to the coup, regional leaders have granted Niger’s military junta a one-week ultimatum to relinquish power or potentially face military intervention.
European nations are presently evacuating their citizens from Niger. In cities like Niamey, Maradi, and Zinder, residents are experiencing power for approximately one hour before enduring up to five-hour blackouts.
This interruption in power supply is atypical for Niger, a nation accustomed to consistent and dependable electricity access. However, the country heavily relies on its wealthier southern neighbor, Nigeria, as its primary electricity source.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has refrained from commenting on the power cuts in Niger. Nevertheless, an unnamed source informed the BBC that the reduction in supply to Niger was enacted on Tuesday following a presidential directive.
The military coup led to the overthrow of Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum by his own presidential guards. Subsequently, the constitution was suspended, and Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the chief of the presidential guard, assumed leadership as the head of state.
In a recent development, the military government has declared the reopening of Niger’s borders with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, and Chad. However, its borders with Nigeria remain closed.
Ecowas is engaged in mediation efforts, with a delegation led by Nigeria’s former military head of state Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar. This diplomatic mission aims to address the aftermath of the coup and facilitate a resolution.
Evacuation flights have begun transporting individuals to Europe. In Paris, 262 French citizens arrived amid heightened anti-French sentiment in Niger, which has led to protests targeting the French embassy.
Despite the coup’s upheaval, France has not disclosed any plans to repatriate approximately 1,000 French soldiers stationed in Niger as part of counter-terrorism efforts against Islamist militants.
Source – bbc.com
