ECOWAS Lifts Sanctions Against Guinea, Mali, Niger, And Burkina Faso
The decision has been made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lift the economic sanctions levied against the Niger Republic.
Amidst an unconstitutional transition of government in Niger, Mali, and Guinea, the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, decided on Saturday to remove certain sanctions against the countries.
However, he also noted that targeted and political sanctions are still in place against the nations. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, made this announcement while presenting the communiqué released following an Extraordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS.
In July 2023, after the coup that overthrew the elected government and imprisoned President Mohammed Bazoum, ECOWAS imposed a lengthy list of sanctions on the military junta in Niger. Prior to the incident in the Niger Republic, other sanctions had already been imposed on Mali and Burkina Faso.
The three nations claimed that the ECOWAS organization had become a threat to member states due to foreign influence, and on January 28, 2024, they announced their decision to leave the organization.
Furthermore, they had declared the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States, a counter-regional alliance purported to be a mutual defense agreement amongst the nations, on September 16, 2023.
Guinea, a fellow member of ECOWAS, has been governed by the military since September 2021. On Monday, its military ruler, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, ordered the closure of its borders and dissolved the cabinet, causing a panic attack.
He said that although the regional bloc lifted some financial and economic sanctions against Guinea and some targeted sanctions against Mali, the political and targeted sanctions against the Niger Republic still stand.
According to Touray, the decision was made with humanitarian concerns in mind, particularly in light of the upcoming month of Ramadan and the month of Lent.
The Authority demanded that former President Mohammad Bazoum be released in a communique read by the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
“The Authority calls for the immediate release of his excellency Mohammed Bazoom, former President of the Republic of Niger.
“The Authority also calls on the transition authorities in Niger to provide an acceptable transition timetable to the constitutional order.”
Regarding the sanctions, Touray stated that the Authority decided to lift the following against 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 resolution took effect immediately.
The Authority, he said, also resolved that the “freezing of all service transactions including utility services is to be lifted.
“"Freezing of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central banks is to be lifted.
“Freezing of assets of Niger State 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 (EBID) and BIRD is to be lifted.
“Travel ban on the government officials and their family members is also to be lifted.”
The ECOWAS Commission President declared: “This decision is based on humanitarian considerations especially as we are in the month of lent and as we prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.
“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 resolve to lift financial and economic sanctions on the Republic of Guinea.
“The Authority has also 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.
“The authority calls on ECOWAS institutions, member states the United Nations Mine Action Office (UNMAO) and other regional institutions to implement this decision.”
Regarding the three nations' withdrawal, Touray stated: “The Authority urged the countries to reconsider the decision in light of the benefits that the ECOWAS member states and their citizens enjoy in the community and noted the notifications by the three member states within the context of Article 91 of the 1993 ECOWAS revised treaty.”
“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.
“The Authority further urges the three member states to resort to dialogue, negotiations and mediation to address their concerns.
“The Authority urges the three member states to adhere to the provisions of the 1993 revised treaty relating to withdrawal particularly article 91.
“The Authority encourages ECOWAS to sustain its rapprochement and overtures towards the three member states and continue to remain seized of the situation.
“The Authority or just ECOWAS to engage African Union, UNMAO, UN and other international organizations in its dialogue with the three countries.
“The Authority encourages a broader outreach, which should include traditional, religious leaders, eminent personalities, civil society and women leaders for the unity and security of the regional.
“The Authority reiterates the urgent need for ECOWAS 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, and the Accra initiative.
“In this regard, the Authority instructs its commission as soon as possible to convene the meeting of ministers of finance and defense to propose modalities for financing and equipping counterterrorism force.
“The Authority further instructs 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.
“The Authority expresses its gratitude to His Excellency General Yakubu Gowon, for his interest in the welfare of the community and his valuable suggestions.
“The Authority takes note of the end of President Mackey Sell's term of office on April 2, 2024. And commends him for the tremendous development he has realized as President of Senegal, and for his invaluable leadership in Africa and the world.
“The Authority calls on Senegalese stakeholders to give priority to dialogue with a view to preserving the democratic gains of Senagal, through a free, inclusive and transparent elections.
“The leaders underscored their commitment to Africans' sovereignty, independence and unity. In this regard, the Authority appeals to all partners to respect African countries sovereignty and independence and avoid interferences that risk destabilizing member states and adversely affect regional unity.”
Touray said the Authority commended President Bola Tinubu, and chair of the ECOWAS Authority “for convening the extra ordinary summit and for the manner in which he has been conducting the affairs of the community, as chair of authority."
“Now, let me make it very clear what I have listed is not exhaustive,” he said in response to the question of whether the lifting of these sanctions will not portray ECOWAS as weak and encourage others with similar tendencies. The political penalties remain in place. The border is no longer closed. Additionally, trade sanctions have been removed. However, in addition to political sanctions, there are targeted sanctions. that are still in effect.
“I think our sanctions regime should be assessed correctly. 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 leisure 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. That is the limited ability to attend ECOWAS Summit as well as ministerial sessions,” he explained.
The Authority also invited all four nations to future ECOWAS technical consultative meetings and lifted sanctions against Guinea.
He outlined the many ramifications of the three countries' intended exit from the community, pointing out that in addition to the benefits to member states' economies, security, and development, individuals living in the member states will also suffer personal losses.
He stated that leaving the community could lead to the cancellation or suspension of all ECOWAS programs and projects valued at more than $500 million. It could also result in the financial institutions operating in the region ceasing to carry out several regional projects worth approximately $321.6 million and withdrawing from the West African Power Pool project, which is a regional electricity market.
According to him, in addition to the countries losing their national benefits within the region, seven regional organizations having offices in the countries would also need to close, and 130 or so of the citizens of the member countries will lose their jobs as a result of their countries leaving the community.
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