UPDATE: NIGER COUP LEADERS CUT BUDGET AS SANCTIONS STING
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The military government of Niger has announced significant budget cuts for this year, blaming the global sanctions put in place after its coup takeover just over two months ago.
With a population of 25 million, the nation is one of the poorest in the world and mainly depends on aid from abroad, but this has decreased since soldiers toppled President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.
“Niger is facing heavy sanctions imposed by international and regional organisations. They have resulted in significant revenue declines,” the military rulers said in a statement read on state television late Friday.
According to the announcement, the 2023 budget was reduced by about 40%, from 3.3 trillion CFA francs to 1.98 trillion CFA francs ($3.2 billion).
Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, who was installed by the junta, had already issued a warning that an austerity budget would be enacted, with money for security and paying employee wages receiving precedence.
Since the sanctions were placed against the coup leaders, prices in Niger have skyrocketed, and medicine supplies are running low.
In the wake of the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) prohibited commerce with Niger, and regional giant Nigeria also disconnected the energy it had been supplying.
In addition, a number of Western nations have reduced their development assistance to the dictatorship while calling for the restoration of elected leader Bazoum.
However, the military government under General Abdourahamane Tiani claims it only wants three years before bringing back democracy.
It is looking for partners alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, where the military has also seized power, and hopes to rely on sales of uranium, gold, and oil to pay for its budget.
Following demands from the new leaders, France, a former colonial power in Niger as well as Mali and Burkina Faso, has announced that it will withdraw its troops fighting Islamist terrorists there.
AFP
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