Nigeria punishes Niger with power cut after coup

Nigeria has cut electricity supply to Niger after soldiers took power there last week, leaving major cities there in blackouts.

Nigeria provides the bulk of electricity its northern neighbour uses, and power cuts are uncommon in Niger. Ironically, Nigeria struggles with chronic energy shortage that leaves most of its population in darkness.

In the last 24 hours, residents of Niger’s major cities of Niamey, Zinder and Maradi have had electricity for about an hour at a time before supply is switched off for up to five hours, according to the BBC.

Niger’s electricity company Nigelec said the power shortages happened because feeds from Nigeria had been terminated, the outlet reported Wednesday.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria did not comment on the power cuts in Niger. The BBC cited a source as saying that the supply to Niger was cut on Tuesday following a presidential directive.

– Military threat

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed severe sanctions on Niger after soldiers arrested President Mohamed Bazoum on Thursday and declared an end to his government.

The mastermind of the coup and head of the presidential guard, Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, has declared himself the new leader, a claim rejected by ECOWAS and the African Union.

The regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened military action against Niger, and defence ministers from the region are meeting in Abuja over the crisis.

Separately, military juntas in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali have declared support for the Nigerien coup leaders.

– Evacuations

The coup has been condemned by international powers, including the United States and France. European countries are currently evacuating its citizens from Niger.

The military rulers announced the re-opening of Niger’s borders with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali and Chad. Its borders with Nigeria remain closed.

Nigeria’s former military head of state Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar is leading an ECOWAS team that is meeting in Niger on Wednesday to further explore a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

The team is also reportedly joined by Nigeria’s most senior Muslim leader, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III. The Sultan is a highly respected figure in Niger, which was historically part of the Sokoto Caliphate before colonial rule.