International humanitarian bodies have united in a plea to the West African bloc ECOWAS, urging the easing of sanctions against Niger.
Their aim is to facilitate the entry of critical emergency aid from neighboring Benin.
Approximately 20 organizations joined forces in urging for the “immediate reopening” of the border between Niger and Benin, which remains closed due to regional sanctions imposed following a coup in Niger.
At a summit held on Sunday, leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) maintained sanctions on Niger, enacted after a military coup in July.
They demanded progress towards a swift transition to civilian rule before considering a relaxation of these measures.
“We are calling for the border between Benin and Niger to open to humanitarian assistance immediately,” said the NGO statement, whose signatories include Oxfam, Save the Children and Medicins du Monde.
Highlighting the urgent need, the aid groups warned that over 4.3 million individuals require immediate assistance.
Mohammed Chikhaoui, humanitarian representative for international NGOs in Niger, said in the statement that the lack of humanitarian aid “risks seriously compromising access to medical assistance, food and other essential needs for the most vulnerable populations of Niger”.
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray revealed during the summit that the bloc had “granted humanitarian access to medical and relief supplies for the welfare of the people, but the military authorities have declined to utilize it.”
Niger, once a crucial ally in the fight against Sahel militants, has seen post-coup military leaders demand the withdrawal of French troops stationed in the country.
While the United States maintains a military presence in Niger, the French troop withdrawal from the Sahel region, stretching across Africa along the Sahara, has raised concerns of potential southward expansion of jihadist violence towards ECOWAS states like Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast along the Gulf of Guinea.
