UAOTL Calls for Facilitating Truck Movement From-Into Niger

The African Union of Transport and Logistics Organizations (UAOTL) expressed anger and concern on Sunday following the latest Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decision to close all the borders of countries neighbouring Niger, following the recent coup d’état.
The ECOWAS decision had led to hundreds of trucks and their drivers being stranded in the border town of Malanville, in Benin. These people have come from Benin, Togo, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Trucks attempting to exit Niger are also stuck in Gaya, located in Niger, directly across the river from Malanville. When they will be allowed to leave Niger is unclear and many drivers report shortages of money, food, and medication.
In response to the border closure, the UAOTL called on the African Union, as well as the various government officials and political leaders of the ECOWAS countries, to guarantee the free movement of goods and persons in the region.