Niger: MaSaF demands the lifting of sanctions imposed by ECOWAS
The Africa Without Borders Movement (MaSaF) organized a sit-in on November 8th in front of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) permanent representation office in Niamey. The sit-in brought together representatives from several countries in the sub-regional community and aimed primarily to request the lifting of economic sanctions imposed on Niger by ECOWAS.
The ECOWAS sanctions imposed on Niger in response to the coup d’état on July 26th have had a significant impact on the country’s economy, leading to financial difficulties.
These sanctions froze the assets of the Nigerien government and state-owned enterprises, disrupting the country’s financial stability and affecting its economic growth.
Participants took this opportunity to draw ECOWAS’s attention to the negative consequences of its sanctions on the Nigerien population, especially the most vulnerable.
This sit-in by representatives from several ECOWAS countries demonstrates the importance of the issue for the region.
Participants expressed their solidarity with Niger and called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Niger.
More than a hundred days after the fall of Mohamed Bazoum, the military threat from ECOWAS seems to have been abandoned.
Nigeria, which was supposed to take the lead in this force, has become silent. Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, a staunch advocate of this option for the release of Mohamed Bazoum and his return to office, also appears to have changed his stance.
In this context, it appears that the only viable solution for resolving the crisis is through diplomatic means.
ECOWAS must reconsider its methods of action to ensure the interests of the Nigerien people.
Harouna DJIBO
