ECOWAS Reveals Why They Lifted Sanctions On Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has explained their decision to lift sanctions on Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso on Saturday.

According to the regional bloc, it is because they need to maintain unity and security.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said this at the end of the extraordinary session of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on Saturday in Abuja.

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He said that the authority took note of the period of Lent and the approaching month of Ramadan and the impact on citizens, adding that pleas were also received from prominent leaders including retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

”The authority takes note that the withdrawal will have political, social, socio-economic, financial and institutional implications for the three countries as well as for ECOWAS as a region.

”The authority recalls that within the framework of regional cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime, the three countries benefited from about 100 million US dollars mobilised by UMR within the context of the ECOWAS plan of action against terrorism.

”Moreover, some funds allocation, about 7.5 million U.S. dollars is being made towards supporting the three countries in acquiring the equipment to help their fight against terrorism.

”The withdrawal will affect security cooperation in terms of sharing intelligence and participation in regional counterterrorism initiatives.

”Such as the Accra initiative, and the Multinational Joint Task Force,’‘ he said.