Abuja, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced on Feb. 24 that it would lift some of the sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali and other countries.
Omar Toure, chairman of the ECOWAS Commission, said in a statement after the extraordinary ECOWAS summit held in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, on the 24th that the decision to lift the sanctions would take effect immediately.
Touré said ECOWAS lifted the blockade of the land and air borders between Niger and ECOWAS member States, the travel ban on members of the Nepalese army** and their families, and the suspension of sanctions on commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member States and Niger. In addition, the no-fly zone for all commercial flights to and from Niger will be lifted.
In addition, ECOWAS lifted sanctions relating to the ban on the election of Malian citizens to ECOWAS posts, as well as economic sanctions against Guinea.
ECOWAS called on Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to reconsider their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS and invited them and Guinea to participate in the ECOWAS technical consultations.
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso following military coups in the country. On 28 January, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger jointly announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in response to sanctions.
ECOWAS was established in 1975 to strengthen regional integration and promote political, economic, social and cultural development and cooperation among member States. Before Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso announced their withdrawal, ECOWAS had 15 member states.