Days after a military junta ousted Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, the Nigerian government has cut off power supplies to the neighbouring country.
Niger’s electricity company, Nigelec, noted on Wednesday that the development followed an emergency meeting by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where sanctions, including freezing utility services, were imposed on the Niger Republic over its coup, Daily Trust reports.
BBC also reported that the cities of Maradi, Zinder and Niamey had power for about an hour before it was switched off for up to five hours.
Power outages are unusual in Niger, which normally has regular and reliable supplies.
Niger Republic depends on Nigeria for 70 percent of its electricity supply generated from the Kainji Dam.