22 Mar 2024 | 05:22 PM UTC
Niger, Nigeria: Authorities in Niamey reopen land border with Nigeria effective March 22
Nigerien government reopens land border with neighboring Nigeria early March 22. Some cross-border transport delays possible.
Authorities in Niger have reopened their nation's land border with neighboring Nigeria as of 00:01 March 22. The move comes after the Nigerian government in Abuja, on March 13, lifted a set of regional sanctions that had been imposed by ECOWAS against Niger. Local authorities in Niger's Diffa, Tahoua, Maradi, and Dosso regions have received instructions from Niamey to increase border control procedures to ensure the safe and secure processing of goods and people.
Delays to cross-border traffic between Niger and Nigeria are possible over the coming days as transport and customs clearance operations return to normal.
Reconfirm the status of border crossings and overland travel conditions. Plan for possible delays due to increased transportation and immigration processing times.
Following several military coups in the West African Sahel region, ECOWAS imposed robust sanctions against several governments, including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. The bloc closed the borders between Niger and ECOWAS member states in response to the July 2023 in Niamey. ECOWAS also imposed a no-fly zone and suspended all trade and utility services, including electricity exports to Niger.
