ECOWAS lawmakers seek end to closure of Niger border

…decry suffering among citizens in boarder towns 

Members of Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the aegis of "Concerned Parliamentarians",  have appealed to the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of States and Governments to end the border closure imposed on Niger Republic. 

Speaking on behalf of other members, the leader of the group, Hon. Mohammed Ali Ndume, (Nigeria) made the call at a press briefing at the opening of the 2023 Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, on Wednesday. 

Ndume, specifically appealed to President Bola Tinubu to use his good offices as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State to impress on his colleagues to reconsider the ban to end the suffering of the people, particularly Nigerians and Nigeri'ens living around boarder towns. 

He saidWe are here to address the press on the happenings in Niger. There was a change of government in Niger on the 30th of July. Immediately, after the incident, ECOWAS and other countries imposed sanctions on Niger.

"We though it was temporarily and the matter could be resolved within a short time. But we know that is happening now is the continuous suffering of the poor people of Niger and other neighbouring countries, especially Nigeria.

"Niger borders about eight states in Nigeria. Kano, Katsina, Jebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno are all bordering Niger. Since the closure of the borders and imposition of sanctions against Niger, the poor people including children and women have been subjected to different forms of suffering.

"When you go to the border, you see thousands of trailers loaded with foodstuffs and these food items are decaying and wasting away.  This is affecting the economy of Niger and the bordering communities and states, especially Nigeria", he stated.

Ndume further said, "We are therefore appealing to the Authority of Heads of State and particularly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ,consider the suffering of our people in Niger, Nigeria and other Member States and lift the sanctions against Niger.

"It is good that President Tinubu's agenda is to boost the economy and the people are suffering here because of the ban imposed on Niger. So, we appeal to him to prevail on his colleagues so that the ban can be lifted and the people will return to their normal economic life", he appealed.

The Concerned Members of Parliament consist of lawmakers from both the Francophone and Anglophone speaking sections of the ECOWAS.