Since the July 26, 2023 coup against President Mohamed Bazoum, Benin has applied the border closure measure decided by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Niger (CCIN) answers to the port authorities of Cotonou. The CCIN does not welcome the decision to resume imports from Niger through the port of neighboring Benin. In a press release issued on Thursday, the facility called on Nigerian economic operators to continue importing their goods through ports and corridors operated since border closures following General Abdourahmane Tiani’s July 26 coup. “ The Niger Chamber of Commerce and Industry reminds economic operators that illegal, unfair and unjust ECOWAS sanctions remain, in particular those relating to border closures, with the aim of blocking commercial transactions with our country.»? explains Moussa Sidi Mohamed, president of the CCIN.
On December 27, 2023, officials of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC) announced the lifting of the measure suspending imports destined for Niger.
The decision was made last October due to port congestion. “ Due to operational and congestion reasons, cargo loading after 25 October 2023 at Niger home ports is suspended at Cotonou Port until further notice », we read in the press release from the director general of the Pac, Bart Jozef Johan Van Eenoo.
In his latest message on the situation, the Director General explains that the operating conditions for cargo processing in the port have improved significantly.
This measure comes at a time when ECOWAS is seeking to renew its ongoing dialogue with the military might in Niamey.
Niger, which is an inland country, received most of its imports through the port of Cotonou. Thousands of trucks loaded with various goods shuttled every day for a thousand kilometers between Cotonou and Niamey.
Last December 21, in his traditional end-of-year state of the nation address to the National Assembly, President Patrice Talon said he wanted to restore relations with neighboring countries led by military regimes. Speaking specifically about the Niger case, Talon suggested that his country is obliged to follow the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS.
« It is clear that Benin never wanted or hoped that the sanctions imposed by the community or international authorities would have the effect of complicating the daily life of the populations, of making their lives even more difficult. We are convinced that there is a time to condemn, a time to ask and a time to take stock, even to take note », declared Patrice Talon in front of the Beninese deputies.
The presidents of Benin, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Nigeria are considered to be the hardliners of the regional institution against the soldiers who overthrew Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023 in Niger.
RK/ac/APA
2023-12-29 09:47:27
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