ECOWAS Parliament Promises Conditions To lift Sanctions on Niger Upon President Bazoum’s Release.

By Caroline Ameh

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis, has unveiled a conditional offer to lift the sanctions currently imposed on Niger Republic contingent upon the release of President Mohamed Bazoum from the military junta’s custody.

During a recent visit by a 19-member delegation from Africans Without Borders to the Speaker in Abuja, Tunis assured that lifting the sanctions was contingent on the junta’s act of releasing Bazoum. The primary purpose of the delegation’s visit was to implore the parliament to support the sanction relief, aiming to alleviate the hardships faced by ordinary citizens in Niger.

Tunis emphasized the imperative for the junta to release Bazoum and his family unconditionally, urging a swift transition to reinstate constitutional governance within the nation.

Despite the ECOWAS bloc’s concerted efforts to address the aftermath of the military coup in Niger, Tunis highlighted that significant progress had not been achieved thus far.

“We represent you as Members of the ECOWAS Parliament; citizens’ diplomacy, in my opinion, is the best form of diplomacy that if used well can solve a whole lot of problems, not only in this sub-region but in the entire continent of Africa,” Tunis stated.

He assured continued support for the people of Niger, calling upon the leadership of Niger to demonstrate goodwill as a crucial step towards lifting the sanctions.

The President of African Without Borders, Mr. Ziwana Abdounahamane, underscored the detrimental impact of the sanctions on Niger’s citizens and neighboring countries. Abdounahamane expressed gratitude for ECOWAS contributions to Niger and appealed for solidarity during these challenging times.

The Mouvement Afrique sans Frontiere (African without Borders) comprises the 16 countries forming the ECOWAS bloc, all actively engaged in addressing the pressing humanitarian situation in Niger.