ECOWAS to Lift Some Sanctions on Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders decided on Saturday to lift part of the sanctions imposed on Niger.

Omar Alieu Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, announced this decision following a bloc meeting in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.

He specified that the sanctions would be immediately lifted, particularly reopening the borders and airspace.

Touray explained to journalists that the removal of sanctions on Niger is based purely on humanitarian grounds to alleviate the suffering caused by them.

He also noted that while targeted individual sanctions and political sanctions remain in effect, this move aims to ease the humanitarian impact on the country.

The West African nations had imposed sanctions on Niger following the July coup against President Mohamed Bazoum, later officially recognizing Niger's ruling military council.