The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced on Saturday its decision to lift certain sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, and Guinea in response to unconstitutional changes of government in these countries. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, revealed this during the presentation of the communique issued at the end of an Extraordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS. However, Touray clarified that political and targeted sanctions against these nations would remain in force.
Earlier in July 2023, ECOWAS had imposed a comprehensive set of sanctions on the military junta in Niger after a coup d’etat led to the removal and incarceration of elected President Mohammed Bazoum. Mali and Burkina Faso had also faced sanctions prior to the events in Niger.
On January 28, 2024, the three countries—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing foreign influence and perceiving the regional body as a threat to its member-states. Additionally, on September 16, 2023, they declared the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States, a counter-regional organization functioning as a mutual defense pact among the countries.
In the case of Guinea, which has been under military rule since September 2021, a recent incident occurred when Military Ruler Colonel Mamady Doumbouya dissolved his cabinet and ordered the closure of borders.
While maintaining political and targeted sanctions on Niger, ECOWAS decided to ease some financial and economic sanctions on Guinea and lift certain targeted sanctions on Mali. Touray explained that the decision is rooted in humanitarian considerations, particularly in light of the approaching month of Ramadan and the ongoing month of Lent.
