ECOWAS lifts some sanctions on 4 countries under military rule
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWS) on Saturday agreed to lift some economic and travel sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali and Guinea as a punitive response to the unconstitutional change of government in these countries, the Nigerian newspaper reported.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, announced Saturday’s resolutions in a communique following an Extraordinary Summit in Abuja.
Touray said the decision was based on humanitarian considerations regarding Lent and the approaching month of Ramadan.
However, he clarified that the regional bloc would maintain the status quo on political and targeted sanctions.
The civilian governments in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger fell under military control in May 2021, September 2022 and July 2023, respectively.
Consequently, the ECOWAS announced economic sanctions that isolated the three states alongside Guinea, where the military took over in September 2021.
The bloc suspended all commercial and financial transactions between its current members and the junta-led states, freezing all their assets at the ECOWAS Central Bank.
Niger became the latest target of the punitive measures when members of its Presidential Guard overthrew the country’s leader, Mohammed Bazoum, in June 2023.
Thus, in July 2023, the ECOWAS imposed a long list of sanctions on the General Abdourahamane Tchiani-led military junta.
On 28 January, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced their withdrawal from the ECOWAS, saying its “illegal sanctions” were harming the people.
They also alleged that the bloc had fallen under the influence of foreign governments whose interests, they said, were far from those of the peoples.
In the communique, the ECOWAS leaders demanded the release of former President Mohammad Bazoum, insisting that the Nigerien transition authority provides an acceptable timetable to restore constitutional order.
On sanctions, Touray said, “The Authority resolved to lift with immediate effect the following measures imposed on the Republic of Niger: Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger to be lifted, no-fly zone of all commercial flights to and from Niger is to be lifted and suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger is to be lifted.”
The Authority also resolved that the freezing of all service transactions, including utility services, is to be lifted. The freezing of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central banks is to be lifted.
Freezing of assets of Niger and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks is to be lifted.
"Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development and BIRD, is to be lifted. Travel ban on the government officials and their family members is also to be lifted.”
Touray added: “The Authority has also resolved to lift the sanctions regarding the recruitment of Malian citizens in statutory and professional positions within ECOWAS. The Authority has also resolved to lift financial and economic sanctions on the Republic of Guinea.
He said the Summit instructed the President of the Commission to invite Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Guinea, to attend the technical and consultative meetings of ECOWAS as well as all security-related meetings.
When asked about insinuations that lifting sanctions portrays ECOWAS as weak and emboldening more coup plotters, Touray clarified, “Now, let me make it very clear what I have listed is not exhaustive. Political sanctions have not been lifted. Border closures have been lifted, and commercial sanctions have been lifted. But there are targeted sanctions as well as political sanctions. These remains in force."
Tourey said: “The list I have given relates mainly to Niger because all the other countries still have political sanctions on them. So, the border closures, the commercial sanctions and all that are on Niger and that is what the leaders have decided to lift. But individual sanctions as well as political sanctions remain in place in Niger. Now, for other countries, political sanctions remain."
On the decision of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to withdraw from ECOWAS, he said the Summit urged them to reconsider the decision in view of the benefits that the ECOWAS member states and their citizens enjoy in the community.
“The Authority expresses its concern over the socio-economic, political, security and humanitarian impact of the decision, particularly on the citizens of the three countries and on the regional integration process.
It urged the three member states to resort to dialogue, negotiations and mediation to address their concerns.
The Summit further instructed the commission to develop an effective communication strategy in engaging member states and the community citizens in view of the ongoing disinformation and misinformation that put ECOWAS in a bad light.
-0- PANA MA 25Feb2024
