ECOWAS Lifts Sanctions on Guinea and Mali, Eases Restrictions: Regional Diplomatic Shifts in West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea and restrictions on the recruitment of citizens of the Republic of Mali for positions within ECOWAS institutions.

The decision follows a new extraordinary summit on politics, peace, and security in Niger, as well as recent developments in the region. In Guinea, ECOWAS had banned financial transactions with its member institutions a year after Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya took power, overthrowing President Alpha Condé in September 2021.

In Mali, the regional bloc had imposed economic and financial sanctions, which were lifted in July 2022 when the ruling junta announced its transition timetable.

ECOWAS has decided to immediately lift the heaviest sanctions imposed on Niger since the military regime took power in Niamey, overthrowing elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July.

Burkina Faso, one of the four states governed by military regimes since 2020, is not mentioned in the regional organization’s final statement. These decisions mark a step towards resuming dialogue with the Sahel juntas.