In recent developments, questions have arisen regarding whether West Africa’s central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), is continuing to provide foreign currency to Nigerien banks, despite sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). These sanctions, implemented following the recent political events in Niger, were intended to halt all financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger.
The BCEAO regularly publishes the results of its liquidity injection tenders to banks in the eight countries within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). These public documents offer insights into the flow of funds to Niger, particularly in the aftermath of the political changes that transpired when General Abourahamane Tiani assumed power on 26 July, leading to the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Surprisingly, the data from these documents indicates that there has been no noticeable interruption in the flow of funds to Niger from the BCEAO. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the ECOWAS sanctions, which explicitly prohibit “financial and commercial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger.”
As this situation unfolds, it becomes essential to investigate and determine the accuracy of these claims, shedding light on the complex dynamics surrounding sanctions and their enforcement in the region.