Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger impose 0.5% levy on imported goods from Nigeria, others

DDM News

The military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have introduced a 0.5% tariff on imported goods from Nigeria and other member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that this decision was officially announced in a statement signed by the military leaders of the three nations following a meeting last Friday.

According to the statement, the levy has already taken effect.

The tariff applies to all goods imported from outside the three countries, with the exception of humanitarian aid, which remains exempt.

The leaders stated that the revenue generated from this levy will be used to fund the activities of a newly formed regional bloc.

However, the statement did not specify how the funds will be allocated or managed.

This development marks a significant shift away from the traditional free trade system that has existed under ECOWAS for decades.

Previously, goods moved freely between member states without additional tariffs, promoting regional economic integration.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are currently governed by military juntas that came to power through coups in 2023.

Following their departure from ECOWAS, the three countries formed the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS), initially as a security coalition.

However, the alliance has since evolved into an economic and political union aimed at fostering greater military cooperation and financial integration.

As part of their economic agenda, the alliance has proposed new measures, including the introduction of biometric passports for citizens.

The decision to leave ECOWAS was driven by the three nations’ dissatisfaction with the regional bloc’s response to their security crises.

The governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger accused ECOWAS of failing to provide adequate support in their fight against Islamist insurgencies and growing insecurity.

In response to their withdrawal, ECOWAS imposed a series of economic, political, and financial sanctions on the three nations.

These sanctions were intended to pressure the military governments into restoring democratic governance.

However, the punitive measures have so far failed to produce the desired outcome.

The juntas have remained defiant, rejecting attempts to reintegrate them into ECOWAS.

ECOWAS President Bola Tinubu has faced increasing diplomatic hurdles in addressing the situation.

Efforts to bring the three countries back into the regional bloc have met with resistance.

Just last week, Ghana’s former President John Mahama traveled to Abuja to brief President Tinubu on his mediation efforts.

He reported that discussions aimed at persuading Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their stance had not been successful.

The introduction of this new import levy may further complicate trade relations between these countries and their former ECOWAS partners.

It remains unclear how this decision will impact businesses and regional commerce in the long run.

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