THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially lifted sanctions on Guinea, marking a significant development following a leaders’ summit held in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. The decision comes in the wake of discussions held last month regarding the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional bloc, as well as ongoing political tensions in Senegal.
In a closing statement published after the summit, ECOWAS confirmed the lifting of economic sanctions imposed on Guinea subsequent to a military coup in September 2021. Additionally, restrictions on Malian citizens working at ECOWAS institutions have been removed.
Addressing the political crisis in Senegal, particularly following the postponement of presidential elections scheduled for Feb. 25, ECOWAS called upon all parties involved to prioritize reconciliation efforts to safeguard the democratic progress of the country.
Furthermore, the statement reiterated ECOWAS’s stance on the detention of Niger’s former president, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held since a coup on July 26 last year. ECOWAS emphasized the immediate need for Bazoum’s release, underlining its commitment to upholding democratic principles and respect for human rights.
This announcement follows ECOWAS’s decision to lift sanctions imposed on Niger, which was declared on Saturday, demonstrating the organization’s ongoing efforts to address political and socio-economic challenges across West Africa.