Niger has been forced to cut its budget by 40% over the impact of sanctions and suspension of aid after the 26 July coup. There are fears that the sanctions may worsen the economic situation in Niger – one of the world’s poorest countries.
In a statement on Saturday, the military junta announced a 2023 budget cut from $5.3bn to $3.2bn, although details of the cuts are lacking.
The West African country depended on over 40% of this year’s budget on aid from external partners.
The coup which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum attracted regional and international sanctions including border closures, frozen assets and halted aid supplies.
The import-dependent country has recorded soaring food and commodity prices and limited supply of medicines, owing to trade restrictions.
This has however not deterred popular local support for the junta.
