Fears grow over humanitarian crisis in Niger as sanctions bite as Scottish charity speaks on conflict-torn country

Food supplies are blocked at Niger’s borders

International sanctions on Niger following the recent coup are hampering the ability of humanitarian organisations to meet the vital needs of millions of Nigeriens, who are struggling to access food, a charity has warned.

Edinburgh-headquartered charity Mercy Corps said caps imposed on money withdrawals from banks are causing delays in emergency transfers. Food supplies are being blocked at borders and available contingency stocks will only be able to assist 1.2 million Nigeriens for a period of one month.

In July, soldiers staged a coup to overthrow Mohamed Bazoum, the president of the West African nation. The soldiers, who were from different sections of the military, but were believed to have joined together in a group called the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), held President Bazoum in his official residence for a day. They later announced in a live broadcast on state television they had “put an end” to his rule.

Niger's National Council for Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) members General Mohamed Toumba (R) and Colonel Abdramane Amadou (L) in Nigerien capital Niamey this week.

They said they had dissolved the constitution and suspended all institutions in the country and subsequently appointed a new prime minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine.

The United Nations has also warned of a potential humanitarian crisis in the country, which is under economic sanctions from multiple countries and alliances, including the European Union and the US, which have paused aid and development programmes.

African regional bloc Ecowas, which has also threatened to use force to reinstate resident Bazoum, if negotiations are not successful, has hit Niger with stringent sanctions. These include suspending all commercial transactions, freezing its state assets in the regional central bank, freezing assets of the state and state enterprises in commercial banks, and suspending all financial assistance with regional development banks.

Mercy Corps deputy regional director for West and Central Africa, Whitney Elmer, said: “The restrictive measures on monetary exchanges with Niger are affecting our ability to operate and provide urgently needed assistance.

“We have already seen the negative impacts of imposed sanctions – from increased food prices and shortages, to difficulty accessing necessary agricultural inputs for production. The threats to Nigeriens are mounting and additional resource scarcity is causing tensions to rise. There is a real risk of igniting new conflict and instability if we don’t see humanitarian carve-outs from sanctions to allow life-saving aid to continue to flow into the country as needs increase.

“All parties in Niger must uphold their humanitarian obligations to protect civilians and humanitarians from ongoing hostilities and to ensure unfettered access for international and local aid groups to reach civilians in need.”

Ms Elmer added: “We urgently call for a review of all imposed sanctions – whether already adopted or under consideration – to help mitigate a deteriorating humanitarian crisis.”

On Wednesday, the European Union said its ambassador to Niger, Salvador Pinto da França, was prevented from accessing the French embassy in the capital Niamey. The French embassy has been blockaded after the military junta ordered the arrest and expulsion of French Ambassador Sylvain Itté, but he has refused to leave.

"The European Union denounces and regrets the obstacles to freedom of movement of which the European ambassador, stationed in Niamey, was the victim this Tuesday, September 5, while he was going to the French embassy," said EU spokesperson Nabila Massrali.