The federal government yesterday announced a comprehensive lifting of sanctions slapped on Republic of Niger.
The action followed the directive of President Bola Tinubu that Nigeria’s land and air borders with the neighbouring country be re-opened.
Spokesman for the president, Mr Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement that the sanctions were lifted unconditionally.
“Consequently, the President has directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately:
“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.
“Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as a freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to the Niger Republic.
“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.
“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD. Travel bans on government officials and their family members,” the statement said.
Recall that Nigeria had, last August, imposed sanctions on and disconnected Niger from its (Nigeria’s) power grid following the July 26, 2023 Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani-led coup which ousted President Muhammed Bazoum.
Nigeria’s action was informed by the decision of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to isolate Niger following the coup.
ECOWAS, had, on its part, lifted all the economic sanctions slapped on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in the wake of the military takeover of governments in the three West African countries.
The decision which too immediate effect was announced by ECOWAS commission’s chairman, Mr Omar Touray at the end of the extraordinary session of the heads of state and government of the regional bloc held in Abuja.
He said the decision was based on humanitarian considerations, the socio-economic impacts of the sanctions on Nigeriens and the security of the sub-region.
“The Authority calls for the immediate release of former President Bazoum and also calls on the transition authorities in Niger to provide an acceptable transition timetable to constitutional order.
“The Authority has resolved to lift with immediate effect sanctions imposed on Niger and has lifted the closure of land and air borders between it and ECOWAS member countries.
“No-fly-zone of all commercial flights to and from Niger is to be lifted. Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger are to be lifted.
“Freezing of all service transactions including utility services is to be lifted.
“Freezing of assets of Niger in ECOWAS Central Bank is to be lifted. Freezing of assets of Niger and the state’s enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks is to be lifted,’’ he said.
