General Abdourahamane Tiani has decided to ban rice and cereal exports, except to his neighbors in the AES. A measure taken to "protect the supply of the domestic market

The Nigerien military regime has banned the exports of most cereals, the government announced on October 16. Burkina Faso and Mali, two neighbors also governed by military juntas that, along with Niger, form the confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), are not subject to this ban, authorities clarified. This measure was "decided by General Abdourahamane Tiani," the head of the junta, "to protect the supply of the domestic market" and to "make essential goods accessible," the government stated in a communiqué

An important supply reservoir

The list of products affected by this export ban includes rice (locally produced on the banks of the Niger River), millet and sorghum (cereals), cowpeas (bean variety), and corn. Penalties may be imposed on offenders, and shipments will be confiscated, authorities added

Niger is an important supply reservoir of cereals, especially for some states in neighboring Nigeria. Although lifted in February, the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Niger, following the coup that brought General Tiani to power in July 2023, have significantly disrupted regular supply in Nigerien markets, where high inflation persists for products like rice. The ongoing closure of the border with neighboring Benin contributes to these disruptions

This year, the Ministry of Agriculture has promised to buy some of the farmers' harvests, which will be allocated to the country's food security stocks. Despite the significant floods that have affected the entire country, the ministry expects "good agricultural yields." Nearly one and a half million people have been affected by the exceptional rains that have fallen over Niger, causing 339 deaths, according to official figures. Additionally, the authorities in Niamey decided this week to reduce the price of cement by 35% to help the population rebuild after the damage caused by the floods

Article source: jeuneafrique