In a bid to maintain regional harmony and security, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to lift sanctions imposed on Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, revealed this following an extraordinary session in Abuja on Saturday.
The move to lift sanctions took into consideration factors like the upcoming month of Ramadan, Lent, and appeals from prominent leaders such as retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon. Dr. Touray emphasized that the withdrawal of sanctions would have far-reaching implications politically, socially, economically, financially, and institutionally for the three nations and the ECOWAS region as a whole.
Notably, the decision to withdraw sanctions involves aspects like security cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, intelligence sharing, and participation in regional initiatives against terrorism, including the Accra initiative and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Furthermore, Dr. Touray highlighted the potential consequences of diplomatic isolation, changes in immigration status, and the need for visas for regional travel for citizens of the affected countries. The cessation of the use of ECOWAS passports, the adoption of national identity cards, and compliance with diverse national laws are among the adjustments anticipated.
The three countries, representing a significant portion of the regional population and GDP, play a vital role in the ECOWAS market. Their departure would result in a reduction in market size, affecting trade, regional projects, and collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing regional integration and inclusivity.
The lifting of sanctions is expected to bolster trade relations and unlock various benefits from regional initiatives such as the Regional Food Security Reserve, the Sahel regional irrigation support program, and the West African single identity project. Failure to lift the sanctions would have led to the suspension of ECOWAS projects worth over 500 million US dollars, jeopardizing regional progress and development.
Moreover, at the institutional level, the withdrawal of the three countries would necessitate the closure of several regional entities and offices, impacting the job security of ECOWAS staff from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Overall, the value of projects and programs at stake amounts to approximately 321.6 million US dollars.
The decision to lift sanctions underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to fostering collaboration, sustainable development, and shared prosperity within the West African region.
