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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to lift all sanctions imposed on Niger, including the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger. These sanctions were imposed in response to a military takeover that ousted the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum last year.
The sanctions, which included a no-fly zone on commercial flights to and from Niger, the suspension of commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger, and the freezing of assets, have had a severe impact on Niger’s economy, exacerbating food insecurity among vulnerable groups.
During an extraordinary summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, ECOWAS Heads of State decided to lift the sanctions with immediate effect. The meeting, chaired by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was attended by several other regional leaders, including President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.
The lifting of sanctions comes as the junta in Niger has maintained relations with neighboring countries Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali, which are also under military rule.
ECOWAS has also lifted the travel ban on government officials and their family members from Niger.
