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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has resolved to lift some sanctions imposed on Niger Republic, Mali and Guinea, following the unconstitutional takeover of power in those countries.
The junta in Mali took over powers in August 2020; Burkina Faso in September 2022; and Niger in July 2023, forcing the ECOWAS to impose sanctions on the countries.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, read the communique containing the resolutions taken at the extraordinary summit on the peace, political and security situation in the ECOWAS sub-region in Abuja yesterday.
He said that while the political and targeted sanctions on Niger Republic remain, the regional bloc lifted some financial and economic sanctions on Guinea and some targeted sanctions on Mali.
Touray said that the decision was based on humanitarian considerations especially because of the month of Lent and the approaching month of Ramadan.
Highlighting the various implications of the planned withdrawal by the three countries from the community, he noted that besides losing economic, security and development beneits that accrue to members states, there will also be personal loses to nationals of the countries across the region.
According to him, pulling out of the community might result in the halting or suspension of all ECOWAS projects and programmes worth over $500 million, the various regional projects being executed by the region’s financial institutions worth about $321.6 million even as they may be exited from the regional electricity market, known as the West African Power Pool project.
He also said that besides the countries losing national benefits within the region, citizens of the countries, about 130 of them, who are employees of the ECOWAS, will lose their job to the exit of their countries from the community, just as seven regional entities with offices in the countries would also need to be shut down.
The Commission’s president, therefore, demanded the release of former President Mohamed Bazoum.
“The Authority calls for the immediate release of His Excellency, Mohamed Bazoom, former President of the Republic of Niger.
“The Authority also calls on the transition authorities in Niger to provide an acceptable transition timetable to the constitutional order,” he said.
On sanctions, Touray said that the Authority resolved to lift with immediate effect the following measures imposed on the Republic of Niger: “Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger to be lifted, no Fly Zone of all commercial flights to and from Niger is to be lifted and suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger is to be lifted.”
The Authority, he said also resolved that the “freezing of all service transactions, including utility services is to be lifted. Freezing of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central banks is to be lifted.
“Freezing of assets of Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks is to be lifted.
“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions particularly ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) and BIRD is to be lifted.
“Travel ban on the government officials and their family members is also to be lifted,” he added.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission said: “This decision is based on humanitarian considerations especially as we are in the month of Lent and as we prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.
“The Authority has also resolved to lift the sanctions regarding the recruitment of Malian citizens in statutory and professional positions within ECOWAS.
“The Authority has also resolve to lift financial and economic sanctions on the Republic of Guinea.
“The Authority has also instructed the President of the Commission to invite Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Guinea, to attend the technical and consultative meetings of ECOWAS, as well as all security related meetings.
“The Authority calls on ECOWAS institutions, member states the United Nations Mine Action Office (UNMAO) and other regional institutions to implement this decision.”
On the withdrawal of the three countries, Touray said that the Authority noted the notifications by the three member states within the context of Article 91 of the 1993 ECOWAS revised treaty and urged the countries to reconsider the decision in view of the benefits that the ECOWAS member states and their citizens enjoy in the community.
He said: “The Authority expresses its concern over the socio-economic, political, security and humanitarian impact of the decision, particularly on the citizens of the three countries and on the regional integration process.
“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 revised treaty relating to withdrawal particularly Article 91.
“The Authority encourages ECOWAS to sustain its rapprochement and overtures towards the three member states and continue to remain seized of the situation.
“The Authority or just ECOWAS to engage African Union, UNMAO, UN and other international organizations in its dialogue with the three countries.
“The Authority encourages a broader outreach, which should include traditional, religious leaders, eminent personalities, civil society and women leaders for the unity and security of the regional.
“The Authority reiterates the urgent need for ECOWAS to expedite the operationalization of the standby force in its kinetic mode to fight against terrorism in the region, including the elements of the Multinational Joint Task Force, and the Accra initiative.
“In this regard, the Authority instructs its commission as soon as possible to convene the meeting of ministers of finance and defense to propose modalities for financing and equipping counter-terrorism force.
“The Authority further instructs the commission to develop an effective communication strategy in engaging member states and the community citizens in view of the ongoing disinformation and misinformation that put ECOWAS in a bad light.
“The Authority expresses its gratitude to His Excellency, General Yakubu Gowon, for his interest in the welfare of the community and his valuable suggestions.
“The Authority takes note of the end of President Mackey Sell’s term of office on April 2, 2024. And commends him for the tremendous development he has realized as President of Senegal, and for his invaluable leadership in Africa and the world.
“The Authority calls on Senegalese stakeholders to give priority to dialogue with a view to preserving the democratic gains of Senagal, through a free, inclusive and transparent elections.
“The leaders underscored their commitment to Africans’ sovereignty, independence and unity. In this regard, the Authority appeals to all partners to respect African countries sovereignty and independence and avoid interferences that risk destabilizing member states and adversely affect regional unity.”
Touray said that the Authority commended President Bola Tinubu, and chair of the ECOWAS Authority for convening the extra ordinary summit and for the manner in which he has been conducting the affairs of the community, as chair of authority.”
When asked if the lifting of these sanctions will not show ECOWAS weakness and motivate others with similar tendencies, he said: “Now, let me make it very clear, what I have listed is not exhaustive. Political sanctions have not been lifted. Border closures have been lifted. And commercial sanctions have been lifted. But there are targeted sanctions as well as political sanctions. That remains in force.
“I think our sanctions regime should be assessed correctly. The list I have given relates mainly to Niger because all the other countries still have political sanctions on them.
“So the border closures, the commercial sanctions and all that are on leisure and that is what the leaders have decided to lift. But individual sanctions as well as political sanctions remain in place in Niger.
“Now, for other countries, political sanctions remain. That is the limited ability to attend ECOWAS Summit as well as ministerial sessions.”
Also at the Extra-ordinary Summit of ECOWAS in Abuja, President Tinubu called for the suspension of economic sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea by the ECOWAS.
This was contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in Abuja yesterday.
Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the organization, at the summit stated that: “Everything we did was in hopes of persuading our brothers that there existed a better path, a path that would lead to genuine improvement of their people’s welfare through democratic good governance. And this was a path each of our nations had solemnly agreed with one another pursuant to formal regional treaty and protocol.
“However, the sanctions that we contemplated might help lead our brothers to the negotiating table have become a harsh stumbling block. In my mind and heart, that which is hurtful yet ineffective serves no good purpose and should be abandoned.
“ECOWAS was established for the unassailable objective of improving the lives of the people of this region through fraternal cooperation among all member states. This edifice was cemented on the strong foundation and apt conviction that, united as one, we can be the true masters of our destiny.”
The president explained that ECOWAS took the initial steps based on the regional ideals of security, social stability; democratic governance, political freedom, broad-based prosperity, and sustainable economic development through fair opportunity for each and every one in West Africa.
He said that neither hatred nor hidden motive influenced the steps taken and that there was never any intention to douse or undermine the legitimate political aspirations of any member state or to advance the interests of any outside party.
In calling for the suspension of sanctions, President Tinubu stressed: “We must take note of the approach of the holy month of Ramadan and of Lent. Whether you pray in the mosque or in the church, this represents a time for compassion, hope, and harmony. It is a time that we must not only seek God, but also a closer relationship with brother and neighbour.
“In the spirit of the holy month and of the Lenten period, and with hearts bestirred by goodwill towards all our people, let us extend a hand as brothers and friends to those in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
“What I suggest in real and practical terms is that we, my colleagues and fellow heads of state in ECOWAS, indefinitely suspend economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso and against the leadership of the military authorities in those nations.”
He asked that ECOWAS facilitate the unfettered flow of foodstuffs, medicines and other humanitarian items to the people of these nations, especially to the most vulnerable, adding that for Nigeria, this will also mean the prompt resumption of export of electricity power supply to Niger.
“In this vein, suspension of sanctions is an important, but initial step. What we seek is more than the breaking of the diplomatic logjam. We must use this very moment when things seem tense and progress unavailing, to forge greater cooperation within our community.
“We not only reach out to our brothers. Today, we say unto them – let us begin to work more earnestly together for the economic development of our people and towards confronting those modern challenges that respect no borders or boundaries. Challenges ranging from climate change to violent extremism to illegal pilfering of our precious natural resources require that we join together in progress or we fail separately.
“As leaders of ECOWAS, we have accepted the honour and duty to draft the history of the region and its people during our tenure in office. We have also accepted the honour and duty to reach out to our brothers, letting them know this regional home belongs to us all. I shall do my utmost in this regard. I humbly beseech that you do the same.
“For these reasons, we must suspend sanctions and return to brotherly dialogue. I call on the leadership in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger to embrace the hand extended,” he stated.
