The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced the lifting of stringent sanctions previously imposed on Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, aiming to pressure military regimes in these nations to restore constitutional order.
Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, declared the immediate lifting of sanctions on the three countries following an extraordinary summit held in Abuja, Nigeria.
“In light of recent developments, the Authority has decided to lift sanctions on Niger with immediate effect,” Touray stated. “This includes reopening land and air borders between Niger and ECOWAS member states, as well as lifting the no-fly zone for commercial flights to and from Niger. Furthermore, all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger are to resume.”
The sanctions were initially imposed by ECOWAS after military takeovers occurred in the aforementioned countries.
Moreover, ECOWAS announced the reinstatement of all service transactions, including utilities, within member countries and Niger. Additionally, asset freezes on Niger in the ECOWAS Central Bank and ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development have been lifted.
In a gesture of humanitarian consideration, ECOWAS has lifted the travel ban imposed on members of Niger’s military junta and their families, particularly during the Lenten season and the upcoming month of Ramadan.
Furthermore, ECOWAS lifted sanctions related to the election of Malian citizens to ECOWAS positions and removed economic sanctions on Guinea.
Previously, on Jan. 28, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger had jointly expressed their intention to withdraw from ECOWAS in response to the sanctions, prompting international concerns.
Although the ECOWAS Commission stated it had not received direct notification of the withdrawal intention from the three member states, it emphasized that they remained integral parts of the regional bloc.
Established in 1975, ECOWAS aims to foster economic integration across various sectors including industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial matters, as well as social and cultural affairs.
