Nigerian traders with historical, cultural, language and trading links with neighbouring Niger Republic have been frustrated by new restrictions on Ecowas passports by the ruling junta in Niamey.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, all under military regimes, left Ecowas in January after the regional body, led by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, insisted the three countries return to civilian rule, including threats of using force to remove the soldiers from power in those countries.
Nigerian threats to Niger junta undone by fierce domestic opposition
This departure from Ecowas is now having a severe impact at the border between Niger and Nigeria in terms of travel restrictions. All Ecowas passport holders used to enjoy visa-free travel between the Ecowas nations and cross border trade between Nigeria and Niger is estimated at $220m.
Restricted access to Niger with controls at the border has limited trading and movement with businessmen on the Nigerian side of the border complaining to DW, the German public service channel.
While there’s been no official announcement of a ban on Ecowas passports from the junta in Niamey, the reality at the border is disrupting decades of border trade that is critical to livelihoods on both sides of the border. With Tinubu not even acknowledging the problem in typical unresponsive fashion, there appears to be no resolution in sight.
