International Sanctions 'Motivate Nigerien People to Wake Up', Says Researcher

Although the European Union and other regional organizations can exert financial and economic pressure on Niger to affect Nigeriens' ability to bear the cost of living, the sanctions are not measures that can "thrive", Burkinabe essayist and researcher Hyacinthe Wendlarima Ouedraogo told Sputnik.

"I think it's, as we like to say, a shot in the dark [...] It will work, but it won't be able to profoundly affect the political line adopted by the new authorities because it is in contempt of these pressures, and these authorities also have room for maneuver to be able, with other countries, to circumvent banking measures and customs measures, which are taken, and measures even against raw materials," he explained.

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Fight against terrorism

As for the fight against terrorism led by Malian, Burkinabe and Nigerien authorities, the researcher highlights that the sanctions can affect the purchase of military equipment.

"If the economic level is strongly impacted, it will therefore have repercussions in the military capacity of these states to project themselves forward against terrorism. But the important question which should not be underestimated is the empowerment of the populations themselves. […] Because the real problem in the fight against terrorism is at what level, to what degree do the populations get involved in this fight? […] In this context, the international sanctions by ECOWAS and the EU against Niger are pushing the Nigerien people to wake up," the researcher stated.

He recalls that like Burkina Faso, Niger has also organized its own military force, in particular the Volunteers for the Defense of Niger (VDN). In Burkina Faso, the similar military units, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP), number nearly 100,000.

"When you are not considered, when your abilities are underestimated, you do not project yourself to participate in the defense of your country. But at present, there is a national feeling which emerges. So there is patriotism which is nascent and which therefore pushes people to act", he underlined.

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Possible humanitarian crisis

Talking about the repercussions of ECOWAS and EU sanctions, Ouedraogo acknowledged that the shortage of food and medicine could lead to a humanitarian crisis or even a disaster.

"It is not excluded, it is possible, but there is a momentum of solidarity currently developing between Niger and the countries which do not support the sanctions. Today already, we learn that a country like Algeria sent at least one convoy and hundreds of trucks loaded with food products towards Niger," he said.

Russian aid

Finally questioned on the subject of the recent Russian veto against the sanctions against Mali, the essayist explains that it is a "strong message that the Bamako-Moscow axis is strengthening". According to him, this support "will further galvanize certain states which could be skeptical".

"Should we turn to Russia or should we be a little cautious? These states will be encouraged to follow the same dynamic as Mali because these states have the assurance that, in case of sanctions, there is therefore a great power like Russia which can at any time oppose the sanctions and even open a boulevard quite quickly to connect these states to other states and which are in the same boat," he concluded.