More than four months after putting them in place, ECOWAS is maintaining its sanctions against Niger. This is one of the main announcements at the end of the summit of the West African organization which was held this Sunday in Abuja. ECOWAS does not, however, close the door to dialogue with Niamey.
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With our special correspondent in Abuja, Serge Daniel
To clearly show that the Nigerien junta is still not accepted within the organs of the economic community of West African States, it was the Prime Minister of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum who occupied the chair during the summit of Niger.
The heads of state participating in this summit also maintained sanctions against the soldiers of Niamey. The meeting once again called for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family, as well as those of the arrested ex-dignitaries.
But on the Nigerien issue, the sub-regional organization is not closing the door to dialogue. In addition to the President of Togo, who is very involved in the matter, the heads of state of Benin and Sierra Leone have been designated to travel on behalf of ECOWAS to Niamey.
The objective is to initiate negotiations with the junta to find a solution to the crisis with a short-term transition as the central axis.
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