Maghreb Edition

Sahel: Niger seeks to restore normalcy, announces measures to ease lockdownF

Posted On 16 May 2020

Number of times this article was read : 1185

Niamey, May 15, 2020 – Niger’s government on Friday lifted measures to isolate the capital Niamey to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus and also restarted passenger transport services. Niger introduced restrictions, including a night-time curfew and a ban on collective prayers, in March in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 after it developed into a global pandemic.

“In view of the improvement in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council of Ministers has decided to lift the isolation of Niamey and consequently open inter-urban passenger transport activities,” a government statement said on state radio. “In case of a deterioration in the situation, the government reserves the right to reconsider these decisions.”

The government had already lifted the curfew in Niamey and authorised the reopening of places of worship. Schools will reopen next month across the country. At the end of March, Niamey was rocked by riots against the lockdown measure and the ban on collective prayers. Niger has recorded 885 cases of coronavirus including 51 deaths, according to a report Friday.

AFP

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

North African Countries Among World’s Cheapest for Gasoline, Lead Global Rankings$

North African countries currently rank among the cheapest places in the world to buy gasoline, according to international price data published in late April 2026. The global average pump price for gasoline stood at around $1.49 per liter, while several North African producers were charging less than half that level. Libya, Algeria and Egypt all sit among the most affordable markets globally — though two non-African countries, Venezuela and Iran, rank between Libya and the rest of the African group in the worldwide table.

Libya: A drifting Russian gas tanker threatens the Mediterranean$

Since March 3, 2026, the Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz, 277 meters long, has been drifting off the Libyan coast. Loaded with 62,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG), 900 tons of diesel, and 450 tons of heavy fuel oil, it poses the risk of an environmental disaster for the Mediterranean basin. Amid repeated failures to tow the vessel, accusations of Ukrainian sabotage, and the powerlessness of Libyan authorities, the Mediterranean is on high alert.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.