The extraordinary summit on the peace, political, and security situation in the ECOWAS sub-region held in Abuja on Saturday resulted in several key decisions being made regarding sanctions on Niger, Guinea, and Mali. Regarding Niger Republic, ECOWAS decided to maintain political and targeted sanctions while lifting certain financial and economic sanctions.
The sanctions placed on Niger after the coup included the closure of land and air borders between all ECOWAS members states and Niger, suspension of all financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger Republic including freezing of all service transactions, including utility services, freezing of assets of Niger Republic in all ECOWAS Central banks etc.
Additionally, ECOWAS decided to lift sanctions related to the recruitment of Malian citizens in statutory and professional positions within ECOWAS. Furthermore, financial and economic sanctions on the Republic of Guinea were also lifted.
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray stated that he has been instructed by the Commission to invite Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Guinea to attend technical and consultative meetings of ECOWAS, as well as all security-related meetings.
Furthermore, Touray highlighted that the decision made by ECOWAS to lift certain sanctions on Niger Republic was motivated by humanitarian considerations, particularly in recognition of the significance of the month of Lent and the approaching holy month of Ramadan. This indicates sensitivity to the religious and cultural contexts of the region, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding during these periods of spiritual observance. In his words, “as we are in the month of Lent and as we prepare for the holy month of Ramadan”.
Finally, ECOWAS directed all its institutions, member states, and other regional institutions to implement these decisions with immediate effect.
ECOWAS Lifts Ban on Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso
