In a significant move towards regional cooperation, President Bola Tinubu has issued directives for the reopening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger, along with the lifting of various sanctions imposed on the country.
This decision comes in compliance with the resolutions made by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its extraordinary summit held on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.
ECOWAS leaders, during the summit, collectively agreed to lift economic sanctions against several member states, including the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
As per President Tinubu’s directives, the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger are to be lifted immediately:
1. Border Closure: The closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, along with the ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic, will be lifted.
2. Commercial and Financial Transactions: Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as the freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic, will cease.
3. Asset Freeze: The freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and the freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks will be lifted.
4. Financial Assistance: Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD, will come to an end.
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5. Travel Bans: Travel bans on government officials and their family members will be lifted.
Furthermore, President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced these developments in a press release issued from the State House on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
The decision to reopen borders and end sanctions reflects Nigeria’s commitment to fostering regional integration and collaboration within the ECOWAS community.
