Over a month after the coup d’état, the sanctions affecting the country continue to impact its economic landscape in Niger. As the month draws to a close, civil servants have been particularly concerned about the disbursement of their salaries. However, it appears that the situation is gradually improving, at least to some extent.
Djibril Idrissa, the Secretary-General of the Democratic Confederation of Workers in Niger, reveals, “Salary payments have begun.” According to a source close to the junta, “Salaries are a few days delayed, but they should be disbursed by September 4th.”
Another source with ties to the banking sector, however, specifies that “only certain banks have made payments, those with fewer civil servant clients.” Typically, the government requests advances from banks to cover salary payments, with reimbursement occurring at a later date.
These salary disbursements are highly anticipated by the population. While food prices have stabilized, they remain at significantly elevated levels, such as 19,000 CFA francs for a sack of rice, compared to 11,000 before the coup d’état.
Just a few days ago, the United Nations called for “an air bridge for humanitarian actors.” The organization warned that “for some products, national stocks will be depleted as early as September.” Consequently, in a letter dated August 25th, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called upon Nigeria, whose border with Niger is closed, to “facilitate humanitarian access to the country.”