After months of closure following a coup d’état and subsequent ECOWAS sanctions, Niger Republic has finally reopened its border with Nigeria in the regions of Diffa, Tahoua, Maradi, and Dosso.
The decision, announced via a radio message broadcast on social networks by the Nigerien Ministry of Interior, instructed the governors of these border regions to authorize the reopening precisely at 12:00 midnight.
Despite Nigeria’s earlier reopening of its border weeks ago, following the lifting of ECOWAS sanctions, Niger had delayed reciprocating the gesture until now.
The reopening comes with directives to strengthen controls and security along the 1,500-kilometer land demarcation.
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However, the border between Niger and Benin, a neighboring country rich in uranium, remains closed on the Niger side, despite Benin swiftly implementing the ECOWAS directive.
Transitional authorities in Niger had previously cited security concerns as the rationale for keeping the border closed with their southern neighbors.
This development marks a significant step towards restoring normalcy in cross-border trade and movement between Niger and Nigeria.