The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made significant decisions regarding sanctions on Niger and other countries.
The sanctions, including economic and travel restrictions, have been lifted on Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso following an extraordinary summit in Abuja.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, announced the resolutions which include lifting border closures, no-fly zones, financial transaction freezes, and travel bans on military junta members and their families.
These decisions were made based on humanitarian considerations due to the upcoming month of Ramadan.
In a related development, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso had previously withdrawn from ECOWAS due to what they termed as “inhumane” sanctions imposed by the bloc to reverse coups in their nations.
The juntas accused ECOWAS of moving away from its founding principles and pan-Africanism. Despite this withdrawal, ECOWAS remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse in these countries.
