26 Feb 2024 | 09:25 AM UTC
Niger: ECOWAS sanctions lifted as of Feb. 26
ECOWAS lifts sanctions on Niger, including land and air border closures, as of Feb. 26. Reconfirm travel arrangements.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lifted sanctions against Niger following an extraordinary summit held in Abuja on Feb. 24. The sanctions were initially imposed following the July 26, 2023, military coup that ousted the regime of President Mohammed Bazoum, who has remained in detention since. ECOWAS continues to call for his immediate release.
ECOWAS had closed the land and air borders of its member states with Niger and imposed a no-fly zone to and from Niger. In addition, all trade and utility services, including electricity provision, were suspended with Niger. The freezing of assets and travel bans on government officials have also been lifted.
Increased air and ground transportation demand is possible as travel resumes with ECOWAS countries. Normal travel may take several days to normalize fully.
Reconfirm the status of border crossings and flights operating between Niger and other ECOWAS countries.
The lifting of sanctions comes after authorities in Burkina, Mali, and Chad announced on Jan. 28 their intentions to leave ECOWAS.
ECOWAS has 15 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
