West African bloc lifts sanctions on Niger's military government

In January, ECOWAS leaders met to address the political crisis caused by a series of coups in the region, especially after the decision of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to leave the 15-member bloc.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu delivers the opening remarks during the Extraordinary Session of ECOWAS in Abuja, Nigeria on February 24, 2024. Photo: Reuters

After closed-door talks, ECOWAS said it had formally decided to lift sanctions on Niger that included closing borders, freezing state and central bank assets and suspending trade transactions.

ECOWAS said it was doing so for humanitarian reasons, but the move will be seen as a placating gesture as it tries to convince the three military-ruled states to stay in the nearly 50-year-old alliance and to reopen the bloc's trade and services flows, worth nearly $150 billion a year.

ECOWAS also said it was lifting certain sanctions on Guinea, which did not want to leave ECOWAS but like other military-run countries did not commit to a timeline for returning to democracy.

ECOWAS Commission Chairman Omar Touray said some targeted sanctions and political sanctions remained in place against Niger but did not give details.

Earlier, ECOWAS President Bola Tinubu said the bloc must rethink its strategy in its efforts to call on countries to restore constitutional order and called on Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea “not to consider our organization as an enemy”.

ECOWAS closed its borders and imposed strict measures on Niger last year after soldiers staged a successful coup and arrested President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

The sanctions have forced Niger, one of the world's poorest countries, to slash public spending and default on more than $500 million in debt. In a new statement, ECOWAS reiterated its call for Bazoum's release and asked the military government to provide an "acceptable transition timetable".

The coup in Niger follows two coups in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso in the past three years. The military also seized power in Guinea in 2021.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/khoi-tay-phi-do-bo-lenh-trung-phat-doi-voi-chinh-quyen-quan-su-niger-post285717.html