Breaking: ECOWAS ends economic blockade on Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has announced the lifting of economic sanctions imposed on the Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea.
The regional body took the decision on Saturday, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, during the extraordinary summit on the political, security, and peace conditions in the ECOWAS sub-region.
Despite the move, the ECOWAS said the political and targeted sanctions on the countries remain intact.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu earlier appealed to the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to end the economic sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
Speaking at the Extra-ordinary Summit of ECOWAS in Abuja on Saturday, President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the organization, stated: “The sanctions that we contemplated might help lead our brothers to the negotiating table have become a harsh stumbling block. In my mind and heart, that which is hurtful yet ineffective serves no good purpose and should be abandoned.
In calling for the suspension of sanctions, President Tinubu stressed that: “We must take note of the approach of the holy month of Ramadan and of Lent. Whether you pray in the mosque or in the church, this represents a time for compassion, hope, and harmony. It is a time that we must not only seek God but also a closer relationship with brother and neighbour.
On January 28, the three military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
They explained that it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the Economic Community of West African States “without delay” after the bloc suspended the three countries following military takeovers.
As the three Sahelian countries fight to suppress extremist insurgencies, the military chiefs of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have maintained that they want to restore security before holding elections.
They faulted the ECOWAS for failing to come to their rescue in the fight against insecurity while accusing the bloc of drifting away from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
The junta also formed a military alliance to repel a possible attack on them by ECOWAS after military chiefs of the bloc announced that they had agreed on an unannounced day to move against the coup plotters.
