The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lifted the sanctions it imposed on Niger following a military coup that ousted former President Mahamadou Issoufou in February 2021.
The regional bloc announced the decision on Saturday, February 24, 2024, after a summit of its heads of state and government in Abuja, Nigeria.
The summit commended the progress made by the transitional authorities in Niger in restoring constitutional order and preparing for the general elections scheduled for April 2024.
The summit also urged the transitional authorities to ensure the inclusiveness, transparency, and credibility of the electoral process and to respect the agreed timeline for the return to civilian rule.
The ECOWAS leaders also expressed their concern over the political and security situation in Burkina Faso and Mali, two other countries that have experienced military coups in recent years.
The summit condemned the decision of the transitional authorities in Burkina Faso to withdraw from the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which prohibits any change of government by unconstitutional means.
The summit called on the transitional authorities in Burkina Faso to reconsider their decision and to abide by the commitments they made to the ECOWAS and the international community.
The summit also urged the transitional authorities in Mali to respect the 18-month transition period agreed upon after the coup that toppled former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020.
The summit called on the transitional authorities in Mali to accelerate the implementation of the 2015 Algiers Peace Agreement, which aims to end the conflict in northern Mali and promote national reconciliation.
The summit reaffirmed the solidarity and support of the ECOWAS to the people of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali in their efforts to restore peace, stability, and democracy in their countries.
Source:BusinessDay
