Niger: Dismissal of Sonidep Director Amid Fuel Shortages

Niger's military regime, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, dismissed Colonel Ali Seybou, head of the National Petroleum Company (Sonidep), amid ongoing fuel shortages. The country consumes about 3 million liters of gasoline daily, but production is limited to 1.6 million liters, causing long queues at gas stations and rationing. Sonidep stated that the Zinder refinery supplies only 1.6 million liters per day, despite rising demand and a decrease in smuggling from Nigeria, which previously accounted for up to 50% of the market.