In the aftermath of last week’s coup in Niger, major cities in the country are experiencing frequent power outages.
The electricity company of Niger, Nigelec, has attributed these blackouts to Nigeria cutting off its power supplies to its northern neighbor.
As a response to the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed sanctions on Niger, but it remains unclear if these sanctions include restrictions on electricity supplies.
Amidst the crisis, ECOWAS defense chiefs are holding a meeting in Nigeria to address the situation in Niger.
Furthermore, West African leaders have given the military junta in Niger a one-week ultimatum to relinquish power or face the possibility of military intervention.
In response to the escalating situation, some European countries are currently evacuating their citizens from Niger.
Power supply in the cities of Niamey, Maradi, and Zinder has been disrupted, with residents experiencing one-hour power intervals followed by up to five hours of outage. Such power cuts are unusual in Niger, a country that typically enjoys regular and reliable electricity supply. The reason for these outages lies in Niger’s heavy dependence on its wealthier neighbor, Nigeria, as its primary source of electricity.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has chosen not to comment on the power cuts in Niger. However, an anonymous source revealed to the BBC that the supply was cut following a presidential directive issued on Tuesday.
The military coup in Niger last week resulted in the overthrow of democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum by his own presidential guards. This led to the suspension of the constitution and the installation of Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the chief of the presidential guard, as the head of state.
In light of the ongoing situation, the military government has announced the re-opening of Niger’s borders with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, and Chad. However, its borders with Nigeria remain closed.
A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is currently holding a meeting in Niger as mediation efforts continue following the coup. The delegation is led by Nigeria’s former military head of state, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, who played a significant role in Nigeria’s transition from military rule to democracy in 1999. Nigeria’s most senior Muslim leader, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, is also reportedly part of the delegation, and he holds substantial influence in Niger due to the historical ties between the two regions.
In response to the political instability, evacuation flights have begun to transport European citizens out of Niger. Recently, 262 French citizens arrived in Paris. However, there have been anti-French sentiments in the country, leading to demonstrations against the former colonial power, with the French embassy being targeted.
Despite the situation, France has no current plans to repatriate around 1,000 French soldiers stationed in Niger as part of their efforts to counter Islamist militants.