The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lifted the economic sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali and Burkina-Faso.
The lifting of the sanctions followed long hours of deliberations by the regional leaders at an extraordinary summit on the political, peace, and security situation in the sub region in Abuja on Saturday.
Announcing ECOWAS resolutions after their meeting, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said the body had suspended the closure of the land and air border to Niger and a no-fly zone of all commercial flights.
He said they had also suspended the freezing of all financial transactions between ECOWAS states and Niger, including transactions relating to the bloc’s central bank and the unfreezing of all of Niger’s assets.
“The Authority has also resolved to lift financial and economic sanctions on the Republic of Guinea.
“It instructed the President of the Commission to invite Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Guinea to attend the technical, consultative and security meetings of ECOWAS.
“The Authority calls on ECOWAS institutions, member states and other regional institutions to implement these decisions,’’ he said.
On the threat of withdrawal from ECOWAS by Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, Touray said the Authority urged the countries to reconsider their decisions.
He said this was in view of the benefits that the ECOWAS member states and their citizens enjoyed in the community.
“The Authority expressed its concern over the socio-economic, political security and humanitarian impacts of the decision, particularly on the citizens of the three countries and on regional integration process,” he said.
“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 as revised.
“They should particularly consider the treaty relating to withdrawal, particularly the article that encourages ECOWAS to sustain its rapprochement and overtures towards the member states,” Touray said.
He added that the Authority encouraged outreaches with traditional, religious leaders, eminent personalities, civil society and women leaders for the unity and security of the region.
The Authority reiterated the urgent need for ECOWAS to expedite the operations of its standby force to fight against terrorism in the sub-region, including the elements of the Multinational Joint Task Force and the Accra initiative.
In this regard, the Authority instructed the commission to convene the meeting of ministers of finance and defence to propose modalities for financing and equipping counterterrorism efforts.
