APA-Niamey (Niger) – When it comes to relations with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Niger’s prime minister announced that his country was no longer part of the organisation.
Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine invited Ecowas to become part of the Alliance of Sahel States, which is made up of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, all three countries ruled by militaty juntas after coups.
The Niger head of government is taking part in the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the 50th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Fund, currently being held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Zeine stressed the importance of such meetings for exchanging views on the future of African economies and discussing common objectives, in particular the promotion of the private sector and the creation of conditions conducive to industrialisation.
Asked by the Russian channel RT about the current tensions between Niger and neighbouring Benin, Zeine said he had not followed the statements made by the Beninese representative. However, he reiterated the fraternal ties between the two peoples, while pointing to misunderstandings with the Beninese authorities.
Turning to the issues at stake at the AfDB Annual Meetings, he stressed the need to provide the bank with additional resources to support economic reforms in African countries. He also criticised the financial system inherited from the Bretton Woods institutions, calling for reforms to better meet the needs and independence of African countries.
Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine confirmed the presence of the AfDB in Niamey, saying that the Bank was strongly supporting Niger and other Sahel countries in their efforts to achieve economic transformation.
On the question of relations with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he announced that Niger had withdrawn from the organisation, while inviting the organisation to join the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to promote the sovereignty and dignity of African countries.
With regard to security challenges, the prime minister was confident, saying that Niger was fighting for its survival and sovereignty. He thanked his compatriots for their resilience in the face of adversity.
The PM concluded by calling for the equitable exploitation of African resources, in mutual respect with foreign countries, and for greater cooperation to lift people out of poverty.
AC/fss/as/APA