Nigerian authorities have issued a directive on Thursday ordering the immediate reopening of the border with Niger, which has been closed since August following a coup that installed military governance.
The closure of the 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometre) border occurred after West African leaders imposed sanctions on Niger in response to the coup that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
Although the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) resolved to lift the sanctions last month, the border has remained shut on both sides.
A document from the Nigeria Immigration Service dated Thursday instructed officials to “reopen their borders with immediate effect,” aligning with the ECOWAS decision and a directive issued by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the day before.
President Tinubu advocated for the reopening of land and air borders, as well as the lifting of asset freezes, travel bans, and financial transaction restrictions.
Electricity supplies from Nigeria resumed in early March, ending power disruptions that had affected Niger since the military takeover.
The West African Economic and Monetary Union has also lifted sanctions, including asset freezes on Niger and suspensions of financial transactions.
ECOWAS’s decision to lift sanctions reflects a willingness to engage in dialogue with military-led regimes within its membership, following announcements by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso of their intentions to depart from the bloc.
ECOWAS had initially imposed stringent sanctions following Niger’s coup in July last year, although the bloc’s warning of potential military intervention did not materialize.
