UPDATED: ECOWAS lifts economic, travel sanctions on Niger, others

With immediate effect, the Economic Community of West African States withdrew economic sanctions on Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso on Saturday.

This came after lengthy discussions on the political, security, and peace conditions in the region for hours at the State House in Abuja by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Touray, announced the Authority's resolutions and stated that it has halted the closing of the air and land border with Niger, creating a no-fly zone for any commercial aircraft.

Additionally, it has halted the unfreezing of all of Niger's assets at EBID and the freezing of any financial transactions involving the central bank of the ECOWAS states and Niger.
It also lifted the travel ban on members of the military junta and their families.
"Based on humanitarian considerations due to lent and the approaching month of Ramadan," according to Touray, the decision was made.

Additionally, the authority removed the ban on Mali people being elected to ECOWAS offices.
Additionally, sanctions against Guinea were removed, and all four nations were extended an invitation to future ECOWAS technical consultative sessions.

In light of the advantages experienced by their citizens, ECOWAS also urged its member states that were considering leaving to reevaluate their choice.