According to Niamey’s Interior Ministry, the “temporary restrictions” are a result of the deteriorating security situation.
The Nigerian military authorities who took control in a coup in July have forbidden United Nations organisations, non-governmental organisations, and other foreign organisations from operating in the country’s military “operation zones,” the Interior Ministry reported on Thursday.
The decision was issued in response to “the current security situation and the ongoing operational engagement of the Nigerien Armed Forces,” according to a statement from the ministry that was shown on national television and covered by local media.
The announcement added that all “activities and or movements [of the organisations] in the zones of operations are temporarily suspended,” but did not identify the locations that were impacted.
Days after the military coup, the UN vowed to “remain engaged and committed” to resolving the issue in Niger, where 3.3 million people, according to the UN, need access to food.
After the coup leaders blocked Niger’s airspace, UN Acting Resident Coordinator Nicole Kouassi expressed alarm about the temporary suspension of the organization’s humanitarian air service flights.
A number of military agreements with France, which has 1,500 troops stationed in Niamey to aid in the battle against jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel region, were cancelled last month, according to Niger’s new military rulers.
Insisting that the collaboration agreements were made with the “legitimate authorities” of its former colony, Paris has yet refused to withdraw its forces. The French government has refused to abide by the orders of Niger’s new rulers, including a recent demand that France’s ambassador leave Niamey within 48 hours, calling them “illegitimate authorities” on many occasions.
The West African regional organisation ECOWAS, which has taken the toughest line in attempting to overthrow the coup in Niamey and threatened armed action if its planned diplomatic attempts fail, is at conflict with the coup leaders.
The regional council underlined in a statement released on Thursday its appeal to the military authorities to reinstate democratic order in the uranium-rich landlocked nation, emphasising its opposition to a suggested three-year transition phase.
“The demand of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government is clear: the military authorities in Niger must immediately restore constitutional order by liberating and reinstating H.E. Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum,” it continued.
