Following their exit from the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS), Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have imposed a 0.5 per cent levy on imported goods from Nigeria, Ghana, others while diverting attention to their new union.
Recall that the military-led governments announced that the levy agreed upon last Friday takes effect immediate.
It applies to all goods imported from outside the three countries, excluding humanitarian aids.
ThisNigeria gathered that details on how the funds will be utilized were yet to be disclosed.
The three nations formed the Alliance of Sahel States in 2023 as a security pact, which has since evolved into an economic and military bloc with plans for biometric passports and closer cooperation.
It appears the move has effectively ends free trade within West Africa under ECOWAS and underscores the growing rift between the Sahel states and regional powers such as Nigeria and Ghana.
The juntas announced their departure from ECOWAS last year, accusing the bloc of failing to support their fight against Islamist insurgents.
ECOWAS had imposed economic and political sanctions to push for a return to constitutional rule, but the measures had little effect.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger rank among the world’s poorest nations and have struggled with a decade-long Islamist insurgency linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The violence has killed thousands, displaced millions, and eroded public trust in democratic governance
