Nigeria Makes A Diplomatic Move By Reopening Borders With Niger!

 Following the coup in neighbouring Niger, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has ordered the relaxation of all sanctions imposed on it.

Despite the decision by ECOWAS leaders to remove all sanctions against Niger, Mali, and Guinea—three West African nations currently ruled by putschists—Mr. Tinubu issued the directive on Wednesday.

President Tinubu "directed the opening of Nigeria's land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect," according to a statement made by his spokeswoman, Ajuri Ngelale.

In accordance with the presidential directive, all Niger assets that the ECOWAS Central Bank has frozen will likewise be released.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, Nigeria imposed sanctions on Niger in accordance with an ECOWAS resolution after the coup in July of last year that resulted in the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum.

ECOWAS demanded that Mr. Bazoum be freed and that civil rule be reinstated.

But the putschists in Niger rejected the ECOWAS's recommendations and declared their departure from the organisation together with Mali and Burkina Faso.

At their meeting in Abuja last month, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decided to withdraw all sanctions against the three countries and keep up talks with the putschists.

Below is the statement made by Nigerian presidency's: 

NIGERIA OPENS LAND AND AIR BORDERS WITH REPUBLIC OF NIGER, LIFTS OTHER SANCTIONS

President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.

This directive is in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.

ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

The President has directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately:

(1) 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.

(2) Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.

(3) 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.

(4) Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD.

(5) Travel bans on government officials and their family members.

President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)