The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to revoke all commercial and economic sanctions that were previously imposed on the Republic of Niger.

Last year, following the removal of Niger’s democratically elected leader, Mohammed Bazoum, ECOWAS reacted strongly, expressing zero tolerance for any unconstitutional changes in government.

Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, had earlier signaled their intent to withdraw from the regional bloc due to what they perceived as unjust sanctions.

However, during an extraordinary summit convened in Abuja, Nigeria, ECOWAS announced the lifting of all sanctions against Niger. The organization stressed the importance of maintaining established protocols for free movement within the bloc.

In his opening remarks at the summit, Bola Tinubu, the chairman of ECOWAS and President of Nigeria, emphasized the need to reassess the bloc’s strategy for restoring constitutional order in member states. This includes the three suspended nations and Guinea, which is currently governed by the military.

Tinubu urged Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to reconsider their decisions and urged them not to view ECOWAS as an adversary.

Furthermore, ECOWAS declared the removal of specific sanctions imposed on individuals in Mali and on the junta-led government of Guinea.

While Guinea has not indicated a desire to leave the bloc, it has also not committed to a timeline for the reinstatement of democratic governance.