The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc in West Africa, announced on Saturday its decision to immediately lift sanctions imposed on Niger. This move aims to prevent the withdrawal of the junta-led nation from the bloc, considering the significant economic, financial and institutional implications for the country and the region.

The decision came on the heels of the release of joint notification by the three junta-led nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger regarding their withdrawal from the 15-nation bloc. Subsequently, ECOWAS authorities held an “Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS” and released an 11-page communique detailing their discussions on the notification of withdrawal from three nations.

Deliberations centered on the socio-economic and political implications of these withdrawals took place. The communique underscored Article 91 of the ECOWAS revised treaty of 1993, stipulating that any member state seeking to leave the union must provide written notification to the executive secretary one year in advance and adhere to treaty provisions during this period. Furthermore, it urged the nations to reconsider their decisions for the collective welfare of both the bloc and their citizens.

Moreover, the communique emphasized the urgent need for the release of former Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains in detention despite repeated appeals. The authorities resolved to lift sanctions imposed on Niger, which encompassed the suspension of commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger, the freezing of Niger’s assets in ECOWAS central banks, travel bans on Niger government officials and their families, among other measures. Additionally, restrictions on Mali, such as limitations on recruiting its citizens in ECOWAS institutions and financial and economic sanctions on Guinea, were also lifted.

In August 2023, the Republic of Niger experienced a coup, resulting in the ousting of the democratically elected president, who had been in office for only two years following the country’s first democratic elections. General Abdourahmane “Omar” Tchiani, commander of the presidential guards, assumed control as the self-appointed leader of the new military government. In response to the political upheaval, the European Union halted financial assistance to the violence-affected nation, and subsequently, France suspended all development aid and budget support. Despite numerous efforts by ECOWAS to restore democracy in Niger, sanctions were imposed on the country, causing significant hardships for its citizens. These sanctions included the suspension of financial transactions with West African countries and the freezing of Niger’s assets.

Likewise, Mali and Burkina Faso experienced coups in May 2021 and October 2022, respectively, resulting in military juntas overthrowing their elected governments. Since then, violence and turmoil have mired both countries.