ECOWAS has officially lifted the sanctions imposed on Niger for the unconstitutional takeover of its government on July 26, 2023. This military coup, marking the fifth successful one in Niger since gaining independence from France in 1960, saw the removal and detention of democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum by Niger’s presidential guard.
During the Extraordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS member countries in Abuja, Nigeria, the ECOWAS Commission’s chairman, Gambia’s President Omar Touray, announced the decision to lift the sanctions. This decision was grounded in humanitarian considerations, the socio-economic impact of the sanctions on Nigeriens, and the overall security of the sub-region.
President Touray stated, “The Authority calls for the immediate release of former President Bazoum and also calls on the transition authorities in Niger to provide an acceptable transition timetable to constitutional order.” The immediate lifting of sanctions includes the reopening of land and air borders between Niger and ECOWAS member countries, the removal of the No-Fly-Zone for all commercial flights to and from Niger, and the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger.
Additionally, the freezing of assets of Niger in the ECOWAS Central Bank and in commercial banks, as well as the suspension of financial assistance and transactions, travel bans, and restrictions on the recruitment of Malian citizens in ECOWAS, have all been lifted.
President Touray explained that humanitarian considerations during the Lenten period and the upcoming holy month of Ramadan contributed to the decision to lift the sanctions. The ECOWAS Authority also called on Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Guinea to attend technical, consultative, and security meetings and urged the reconsideration of withdrawal from ECOWAS.
Expressing concern over the socio-economic, political, security, and humanitarian impacts of the withdrawal decisions made by Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, the Authority urged dialogue, negotiations, and mediation to address their concerns. It emphasized the need for adherence to the provisions of the 1993 revised treaty relating to withdrawal.
The Authority also reiterated the urgent need for ECOWAS to expedite the operations of its standby force to combat terrorism in the sub-region, instructing the commission to convene a meeting of ministers of finance and defense to propose modalities for financing and equipping counterterrorism efforts. Notably, the coup events in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea were also highlighted in the context of these developments