Ecowas lift sanctions on Niger, call for deposed president’s release

APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced the lifting of sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger and the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger.
A communique issued by the ECOWAS Commission after the extraordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of States and Government held in Abuja on Saturday, February 24, 2024, said that the other sanctions lifted by the Authority included the no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger and freezing of all service transaction, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
Others are freezing of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks; Freezing of assets of the Niger State, State Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks; Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly, EBID and BOAD and Travel ban on government officials and their family members.
The ECOWAS leaders also called for the immediate release of Mohamed Bazoum, former President of the Republic of Niger as well as his family and political detainees.
The Authority also announced the lifting of restrictions on the recruitment of citizens of the Republic of Mali to professional positions within ECOWAS institutions and the lifting of financial and economic Sanctions on the Republic of Guinea.
The Authority instructed the President of the Commission to invite all four ECOWAS Member States in transition to technical and consultative meetings of ECOWAS as well as to all security-related meetings.
According to the communique, the Authority decided to maintain all other measures provided for by the relevant decisions and instruments of ECOWAS and the African Union and to review them from time to time in accordance with progress realized.
The Authority called on ECOWAS Institutions, Member States, WAEMU and all other regional institutions to implement these decisions.
On the withdrawal of the three countries, the Authority said that it took note of the notifications by the three Member States of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS and drew their attention to Article 91 of the 1993 ECOWAS Revised Treaty regarding the procedures of withdrawal, while urging the countries to reconsider the decision, in view of the benefits that all ECOWAS Member States and their citizens enjoy for being part of the Community.
The Authority expressed its concern over the socio-economic, political, security and humanitarian impacts of the decision, particularly on the citizens of the three Member States and on the regional integration process, and further urged the three Member States to resort to dialogue, negotiation, and mediation to address their concerns.
It urged the three Member States to adhere to the provisions of the 1993 Revised Treaty, relating to withdrawal, particularly Article 91 and directed the ECOWAS Commission to sustain the Community’s rapprochement and overtures towards the three Member States and continue to remain seized of the situation.
The Authority instructed the ECOWAS Commission to engage the African Union, UEMOA, UN and other international organizations as well as bilateral partners on the issue with a view to convincing the three Member States to remain in the Community.
It directed the ECOWAS Commission to broaden the Community outreach towards the three Member States to include traditional and religious leaders, eminent personalities, civil society and women leaders for the unity and security of the region.
The Authority reiterated the urgent need for the ECOWAS Commission to expedite the operationalization of the Standby Force in its kinetic mode to fight against terrorism in the region, including the elements of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the Accra Initiative, as directed by the Authority.
It instructed the Commission as soon as possible to convene the meeting of Ministers of Finance and Defence to propose modalities for financing and equipping the counter-terrorism force.
The Authority also instructed the Commission to develop an effective communication strategy in engaging Member States and the Community citizens in view of the ongoing mis/disinformation targeted at undermining ECOWAS.
On the Republic of Senegal, the Authority took note of the end of President Macky Sall’s term of office on April 2, 2024 and commended him for the tremendous achievements in infrastructure and economic development he has realized as President of the Republic of Senegal and for his invaluable leadership in Africa and the world.
It called on all Senegalese stakeholders to give priority to dialogue with a view to preserving the democratic gains of Senegal through a free, inclusive and transparent Presidential election.
On African Development, Sovereignty and Unity, the Heads of State and Government underscored their Commitment to Africa’s Sovereignty, independence and unity.
In this regard the Authority called on all partners to respect the sovereignty and independence of African States and refrain from interferences and meddling that destabilize Member States and adversely impact regional unity.
The Authority further called for an effective global partnership for the region’s socio-economic development through, inter alia, fair trade and climate justice.
The Authority expressed its gratitude to General Yakubu Gowon for his interest in the welfare of the Community and for his valuable suggestions.
It also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority, for convening the Extraordinary Session and for the able manner he has been conducting the affairs of the Community.
The one-day Extraordinary Summit, which was convened to consider the political, peace and security situation in West Africa was attended by
• H.E. Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin.
• H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
• H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana.
• H.E. Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau.
• H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
• H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal.
• H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
• H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, President of the Togolese Republic.
• H.E. Muhammed B. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The
Gambia.
• H.E. Amb. Belarmino M. SILVA, Ambassador to the Federal Republic of
Nigeria and ECOWAS of the Republic of Cabo Verde.
• H.E. Amb. Alhassan CONTEH, Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS of the Republic of Liberia.
The Summit was also attended by: H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission.
● H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and
Security of the African Union Commission on behalf of the Chairperson H.E.
Moussa Faki Mahamat.
● H.E. Leonardo Santos Simao, Special Representative of the United Nations
Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of UNOWAS.
● H.E. Dr. George Agyekum Nana Donkor, President, ECOWAS Bank for
Investment and Development (EBID).
● H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi-Brou, Governor, Central Bank of West African
States (BCEAO)
● Ambassador Baba Kamara, ECOWAS Special Envoy on Counter-Terrorism.
GIK/APA