UN seeks Niger sanctions relief amid aid blockages

Trucks carrying food, humanitarian aid, and industrial equipment wait due to sanctions imposed by Niger's regional and international allies, in the border town of Malanville, Benin August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Coffi Seraphin Zounyekpe/File photo

GENEVA (Reuters) - United Nations officials said on Tuesday that sanctions on Niger were blocking vital humanitarian aid such as food and medicine, saying that requests for exemptions had been submitted to regional bloc ECOWAS.

Trucks with food and humanitarian aid have been piling up at Niger's land borders since a military coup on July 26, driving up food prices, in a sign of the impact of the sanctions. The blockade is designed to pressure the junta to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to office.