Nigeria has halted electricity exports to neighboring Niger after West African nations imposed sanctions on Niger’s new military government. A source at Niger’s state power company Nigelec confirmed Nigeria disconnected a high-voltage transmission line that supplies 70% of Niger’s electricity.

The move comes after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) levied economic and diplomatic restrictions on Niger’s junta, which seized power in a coup last week. Niger imported most of its electricity from the Kainji Dam in Nigeria through a contract with Nigerian supplier Mainstream.

The loss of imported power from Nigeria has resulted in increased blackouts in Niamey and other regions not served by Niger’s only domestic plant. Niger was already struggling with chronic electricity shortfalls before the latest disruption.

Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou acknowledged the sanctions will heavily impact Niger, one of the poorest nations globally. The country hopes to achieve energy independence after completing the Kandadji Dam project on the Niger River in 2025.

The electricity cutoff illustrates how vulnerable Niger is to external shocks and pressure after the coup. ECOWAS aims to isolate the junta diplomatically and economically following the unconstitutional takeover.