Around 300 lorries filled with provisions and other goods entered Niger from Burkina Faso, with many reaching Niamey, the capital, on Sunday. This movement was confirmed by a local customs official.
The convoy of trucks embarked from Burkina Faso, the solitary open border with Niger following sanctions imposed by the West African regional coalition after rebellious soldiers in Niamey ousted the nation’s president last month.
However, the path linking Burkina Faso and Niger is flanked by extremist groups, thus driving through it is perilous, necessitating military escorts from both nations’ armed forces.
Niger’s overthrow was perceived as excessive by the international community and ECOWAS. Alongside the threat of military intervention, the alliance enforced stringent economic and travel penalties.
During the initial half of 2023, incidents targeting civilians reduced by 49% in comparison to the same period in 2022. Additionally, fatalities decreased by 16%. Acled, an NGO documenting global conflict casualties, reported these figures.
Observers from the West, notably France, a key ally of the displaced regime retaining 1,500 troops in Niger, have highlighted these encouraging outcomes.
This improvement is partially attributed to the distinctive strategy instituted by Bazoum, unique in the Sahel, for combating extremist groups.
As the military administrations in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso execute “anti-terror” campaigns accused of disproportionately affecting civilians, Niger has chosen a policy of “offering assistance”.
Pacts of peace between communities, developmental initiatives, and discussions with leaders of armed factions constitute this strategy. It is regarded as promising by Western associates but faces criticism within Niger, particularly within the military.
