13 Mar 2024 | 07:53 PM UTC
Niger, Guinea: Authorities in Abuja lift regional sanctions against multiple governments March 13 /update 1
Authorities in Abuja, Nigeria, comply to remove ECOWAS sanctions against Niger and Guinea on March 13.
Authorities in Abuja have agreed to lift regional sanctions against Niger and Guinea with immediate effect on March 13. The move comes after Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders reached an agreement during the extraordinary summit held on Feb. 24. The Nigerian State House announced the following sanctions to be lifted, the resumption of land and air traffic with neighboring Niger, reinstatement of commercial and financial transactions and restoring Niger's membership in various financial institutions, among others. The move further lifts financial and economic sanctions against the government of Guinea. ECOWAS initially imposed the sanctions following several military coups in the region. Whether Nigerien authorities resumed border control positions along Nigeria's northern frontier remains unknown.
As of March 7, Nigerien authorities maintained the country's border with neighboring Benin closed despite Beninese authorities reopening border controls. Reports indicate that transporters remain idle at the primary Malanville border crossing. It remains unknown when the resumption of border crossings will continue.
Increased air and ground transportation demand is possible between Niger and Nigeria over the coming days.
Reconfirm the status of border crossings and flights operating within ECOWAS countries.
Following several military coups in the West African Sahel region, ECOWAS previously maintained a robust sanctions regime against several governments, including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. Following the July 2023 coup in Niger, ECOWAS had initially closed the land and air borders of its member states with Niger and imposed a no-fly zone to and from the country. In addition, all trade and utility services, including electricity provision, were suspended.
The lifting of sanctions comes after authorities in Burkina, Mali, and Niger announced on Jan. 28 their intentions to leave ECOWAS regional bloc. The ECOWAS' extraordinary summit held on Feb. 24 further lifted economic sanctions against the governments of Burkina Faso and Mali.
