ECOWAS Moves to Ease Sanctions on Niger

Paschal Emeka, Abuja / Posted December 11, 2023

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced plans to gradually lift sanctions on Niger.

This resolution was contained in a communiqué read by Dr Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission, at the end of the 64th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on Sunday in Abuja.

The communique disclosed that the Authority would ease these sanctions progressively if the CMSP (Military Junta in Niger) complies with the engagement’s outcomes.

However, a failure to do so would result in the maintenance of all sanctions, including potential forceful measures, and solicitation of support from the African Union and other partners for targeted sanctions on CMSP members and affiliates.

The ECOWAS Authority strongly condemned the prolonged detention of President Mohammed Bazoum and urged the immediate, unconditional release of Bazoum, his family, and associates, expressing dismay at the CMSP’s lack of commitment to restoring constitutional order.

Furthermore, the regional bloc pledged to review efforts in establishing a counterterrorism standby force to combat terror threats in affected regions.

The leaders reiterated their commitment to eradicate terrorism and other security threats while planning an extraordinary summit to address unconstitutional government changes, emphasizing peace, security, and democracy in the region.

President Bola Tinubu, who chaired the summit, appointed a committee of Heads of State to engage with the Niger military junta, focusing on a concise transition roadmap and establishing monitoring mechanisms. This committee includes the Heads of States of Togo, Sierra Leone, and Benin.

The ECOWAS meeting commended member states and the Commission’s efforts to consolidate regional democracy, peace, and security.

They highlighted peaceful elections in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia and welcomed the amicable resolution of electoral disputes in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

In combating terrorism, the leaders mandated finance and defense ministers’ meeting to mobilize resources for a regional counterterrorism force.

The Special Envoy on Counterterrorism was initiated, with the Commission directed to facilitate his mission, urging collaboration with sub-regional initiatives like the Accra initiative and MTJN.

Additionally, ECOWAS stressed the need for increased maritime security funding, coordinated joint maritime operations, and advised Gambia to expedite adopting a new constitution and implement the Truth, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations.

The mission extended the ECOWAS support in Gambia and Guinea Bissau, while condemning violence in Bissau and attempted coups in Sierra Leone.

They called for investigations, supported national unity agreements in Sierra Leone, and urged transparent electoral processes in Senegal’s upcoming presidential election.