By Abiola Olawale
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on Saturday resolved to lift economic sanctions on Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea.
The resolution was taken at the extraordinary summit on the peace, political and security situation chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday.
To many, this is a reversal of its earlier hasty decision to impose economic sanctions on these three countries. In lifting the sanction, the regional bloc, however, said the political and targeted sanctions remain.
Earlier, Tinubu had called for the suspension of economic sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea by ECOWAS.
In his opening address, Tinubu, who also as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the organization, stated that: “Everything we did was in hopes of persuading our brothers that there existed a better path, a path that would lead to genuine improvement of their people’s welfare through democratic good governance. And this was a path each of our nations had solemnly agreed with one another pursuant to formal regional treaty and protocol.
He continued: “However, the sanctions that we contemplated might help lead our brothers to the negotiating table have become a harsh stumbling block. In my mind and heart, that which is hurtful yet ineffective serves no good purpose and should be abandoned.
“ECOWAS was established for the unassailable objective of improving the lives of the people of this region through fraternal cooperation among all member states. This edifice was cemented on the strong foundation and apt conviction that, united as one, we can be the true masters of our destiny.”
