• Niger junta scraps anti-migration law, easing West Africans’ Europe-bound travel.
• Enacted in 2015, the law criminalized migrant transport through Niger.
• Repeal aims to rebuild ties with Western allies, gain domestic support.

Niger’s junta has annulled a controversial anti-migration law, which, while reducing the number of West Africans heading to Europe, faced opposition from desert communities dependent on migration-driven economies.

Enacted in May 2015 amid the Mediterranean migration crisis, the law criminalized transporting migrants through Niger.

The recent repeal by the post-coup junta aims to rebuild relations with former Western allies and gain support domestically.

The legislation’s impact on migration and the response from European leaders remain uncertain, but its reversal is welcomed by some, like former truck driver Andre Chani, eager to revive his business in light of the change.

“I’m going to start again,” he said via text message from Agadez on Monday. “We are very happy.”

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