ECOWAS sanctions on Niger could have worrying ‘humanitarian consequences’

Following the expiration of the ECOWAS deadline for Niger’s junta to cede power, increased sanctions are likely says Dr Alex Vines, head of the Africa programme at London-based think tank Chatham House. In one of the world’s poorest countries, such sanctions could take a heavy toll. « Some of the sanctions look to me not targeted, but very blunt and I do worry about some of the humanitarian consequences, » Vines said.