https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230918/ecowas-sanctions-cause-major-medicine-shortage-in-niger-ministry-of-health-official-says-1062190074.html
ECOWAS Sanctions Spark Serious Shortage of Medicine in Niger, Health Official Says
ECOWAS Sanctions Spark Serious Shortage of Medicine in Niger, Health Official Says
Sputnik Africa
A coup took place in Niger on July 26, when then Nigerien President Bazoum was ousted and detained by his guard, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani... 18.09.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-09-18T14:41+0200
2023-09-18T14:41+0200
2023-09-18T15:29+0200
situation in niger after military coup
niger
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economic community of west african states (ecowas)
mohamed bazoum
abdourahamane tiani
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Niger is experiencing a shortage of medicines, the supply of which was blocked as a result of sanctions imposed against the country's military authorities by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Secretary General of the country's Ministry of Health Ibrahim Souley told Sputnik.According to the official, the majority of pharmaceutical products were transported to Niger through Benin's port of Cotonou.The Ministry of Health noted that the shortage of the most sought-after drugs in the country has jumped to 25%, these include antibiotics, drugs for treating diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as anti-cancer drugs.Moreover, Souley said that Niger's new authorities have been eying the possibility of reorienting supply channels since the onset of the crisis and are negotiating this issue with the governments of friendly countries, in particular with Burkina Faso, Guinea, Algeria and Turkey.According to the official, ECOWAS slapped sanctions on Niger in breach of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) treaties.At the end of July, Niger's military announced on national TV that the country's President Mohamed Bazoum was removed from power and that the National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland (CNSP) was established. Leaders of most Western countries and the regional organization ECOWAS condemned the coup.In early August, participants in an emergency meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the ECOWAS member states, held in Abuja, Nigeria, adopted a plan in the event of military intervention in Niger.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230917/party-of-ousted-nigerien-president-opposes-ecowas-intervention-in-country-reports-1062167840.html
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niger, benin, economic community of west african states (ecowas), mohamed bazoum, abdourahamane tiani, west, medicine, health ministry
niger, benin, economic community of west african states (ecowas), mohamed bazoum, abdourahamane tiani, west, medicine, health ministry
ECOWAS Sanctions Spark Serious Shortage of Medicine in Niger, Health Official Says
14:41 18.09.2023 (Updated: 15:29 18.09.2023) Samantha Arias
Producer / Podcast host
A coup took place in Niger on July 26, when then Nigerien President Bazoum was ousted and detained by his guard, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani. Following the takeover, ECOWAS imposed sanctions and suspended all cooperation with Niger, threatening military intervention if the rebels did not reinstate Bazoum.
Niger is experiencing a shortage of medicines, the supply of which was blocked as a result of sanctions imposed against the country's military authorities by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Secretary General of the country's Ministry of Health Ibrahim Souley told Sputnik.
According to the official, the majority of pharmaceutical products were transported to Niger through Benin's port of Cotonou.
"As a result of ECOWAS sanctions, pharmaceutical products destined for Niger are delayed at the port of Cotonou or at the border, and more than 60 blocked containers have been found there […] worth about 4 billion CFA francs (more than $1.6 million)," he said.
The Ministry of Health noted that the shortage of the most sought-after drugs in the country has jumped to 25%, these include antibiotics, drugs for treating diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as anti-cancer drugs.
"To reduce the consequences of the embargo, patients are offered alternative treatment methods," he added.
Moreover, Souley said that Niger's new authorities have been eying the possibility of reorienting supply channels since the onset of the crisis and are negotiating this issue with the governments of friendly countries, in particular with
Burkina Faso, Guinea, Algeria and Turkey.
According to the official, ECOWAS slapped sanctions on Niger in breach of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) treaties.
“In this regard, we condemn the position of ECOWAS, since no political situation has ever led to such harsh sanctions against humanitarian products,” he said.
At the end of July,
Niger's military announced on national TV that the country's President Mohamed Bazoum was removed from power and that the National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland (CNSP) was established. Leaders of most Western countries and the regional organization ECOWAS condemned the coup.
In early August, participants in an emergency meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the ECOWAS member states, held in Abuja, Nigeria, adopted a plan in the event of military
intervention in Niger.
