Burkina Faso sent hundreds of truckloads of food and other materials into Niger. The nearly 300 trucks have helped to relieve the humanitarian crisis caused by the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), after the Niger military seized power in July.These sanctions have been fully endorsed by the European Union, France, and the United States. Because of these sanctions, hundreds of trucks have been blocked from entering Niger at the Nigerian border. That is causing hardship in Niger, and also in northern Nigeria, where much of the population depends on cross-border trade for their livelihoods. According to the AFP story, because of the danger from terrorist groups operating in the border region between Niger and Burkina Faso, the trucks were protected by military escorts from both countries.
Burkina Faso, which is also under sanctions by ECOWAS, is among the poorest countries in the region, yet it is showing solidarity with Niger. Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Guinea, have declared themselves allies with Niger, and have warned that any military attack on Niger will be regarded as a potential military attack on itself.
