The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made the decision to lift all commercial and economic sanctions that were previously imposed on the Republic of Niger.
This decision comes after Niger deposed its democratically elected leader, Mohammed Bazoum, which led to a swift response from ECOWAS. The regional bloc had previously declared a zero tolerance policy for unconstitutional changes in government.
In response to the sanctions, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, announced their decision to exit the regional bloc. However, during an extraordinary summit held on February 24 in Abuja, Nigeria, ECOWAS announced that all sanctions imposed on Niger would be lifted. The regional bloc emphasized the importance of maintaining established protocols of free movement within the region.
Addressing the media, the President of the ECOWAS commission, Omar Alieu Touray, explained that the decision to lift the sanctions was driven by the need to address existential threats facing the region. ECOWAS also called on the three junta-led nations that had withdrawn from the bloc to reconsider their decision.
Nigeria’s President and ECOWAS chairperson, Bola Tinubu, highlighted the existential threats faced by the sub-region, emphasizing the importance of re-evaluating the approach to constitutional order. The decision to lift the sanctions on Niger reflects ECOWAS’ commitment to fostering peace and stability within the region.
