Following in the footsteps of ECOWAS, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday ordered the lifting of all sanctions imposed on neighbouring Niger Republic and ordered the immediate reopening of land and air borders between the two countries. On 26 July 2023, a coup d’état occurred in Niger Republic, during which the country’s presidential guard removed
Following in the footsteps of ECOWAS, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday ordered the lifting of all sanctions imposed on neighbouring Niger Republic and ordered the immediate reopening of land and air borders between the two countries.
On 26 July 2023, a coup d’état occurred in Niger Republic, during which the country’s presidential guard removed and detained President Mohamed Bazoum. Nigeria, like other members of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) in compliance with an ECOWAS resolution, imposed sanctions on Niger following the coup which led to the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum.
The federal government was brought under tremendous pressure following the sanctions because of the affinity and close relationship between the citizens of the two countries. Many Nigerians of northern origin have their kith and kin located in Niger Republic. The country depended on Nigeria for most of its trade and especially for electricity supply, all of which were cut in the web of the sanctions.
But on Wednesday, President Tinubu ordered the re-opening of both land and air borders and the lifting of all sanctions following a decision by ECOWAS leaders to lift all sanctions on Niger, Mali and Guinea, three West African countries currently led by military leaders, taken last month.
In a statement on Wednesday by Chief Ajuri Ngelalein, presidential spokesperson said President Tinubu “directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.”
In addition, all Niger assets frozen by the ECOWAS Central Bank will also be lifted based on the presidential order.
After trying to talk the military leaders into relinquishing power to civilians, ECOWAS insisted on the restoration of civil rule and the release of the former President.
However, military leaders in Niger rejected the proposals by ECOWAS and instead announced, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, their exit from ECOWAS.
But ECOWAS leaders on February 24, 2024, in Abuja met in Abuja and resolved to lift all the sanctions imposed on the three countries and continue to engage in dialogue with the military leaders.
President Tinubu , according to the Press statement also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
Below is the full text of the State House Press statement
NIGERIA OPENS LAND AND AIR BORDERS WITH REPUBLIC OF NIGER, LIFTS OTHER SANCTIONS
President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.
This directive is in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.
ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
The President has directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately:
(1) Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
(2) Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
(3) Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.
(4) Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD.
(5) Travel bans on government officials and their family members.
President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
