West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, has decided to lift travel, commercial, and economic sanctions imposed on Niger as part of efforts to reverse the coup that occurred in the country last year, as announced by a senior official on Saturday.
The president of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, revealed the immediate lifting of the sanctions following the bloc’s meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, which aimed to address existential threats in the region and encourage three junta-led nations, which have exited the bloc, to reconsider their decision.
The decision to lift sanctions on Niger is driven “on purely humanitarian grounds” to alleviate the suffering caused, Touray explained, emphasizing that certain targeted individual and political sanctions will remain in force.
The summit of the 15-nation regional economic bloc, ECOWAS, held in Abuja, Nigeria, comes at a critical juncture when the bloc’s future is threatened by potential disintegration and a recent surge in coups fueled by discontent over the performance of elected governments.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, the current chairman of ECOWAS, stressed the importance of decisions made at the summit being guided by a commitment to safeguarding constitutional order, upholding democratic principles, and promoting the social and economic well-being of citizens.
A primary focus of the summit is the unprecedented decision by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to leave ECOWAS, citing “inhumane sanctions.” Tinubu urged these nations to reconsider, emphasizing that the organization is not an enemy but is established for the good of the people.
The summit is also expected to review the harsh sanctions imposed on Niger. This week, former military ruler Yakubu Gowon urged regional leaders to lift the sanctions, emphasizing that the bloc is a community established for the benefit of the people.
Over the past year, ECOWAS has faced challenges in resolving the Sahel’s growing violence from Islamic extremists and rebels, leading to coups and the deposition of elected governments.
The sanctions against Niger and the threat of military intervention were likely triggers for the withdrawal of the three countries from the bloc, according to Karim Manuel, an analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit, resulting in increased fragmentation and division in the West African region.
The new alliance between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger reflects opposition to traditional structures that have underpinned the region for decades.
