Final Communique – Extraordinary Summit of The ECOWAS Authority of Heads Of State and Government on The Political, Peace and Security Situation in The Region (Abuja, 24th February 2024)

*Excerpts8

THE AUTHORITY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

Release of President Bazoum

1. The Authority calls for the immediate release of His Excellency Mohamed Bazoum, former President of the Republic of Niger as well as his family and political detainees;.

On Sanctions

1. The Authority decides to lift with immediate effect the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger:

a. Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger;

b. Institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger;

c. Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger;

d. Freeze of all service transaction including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic ;

e. Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks;

f. Freeze of assets of the Niger State, State Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks;

g. Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly, EBID and BOAD;

h. Travel ban on government officials and their family members.

1. The Authority decides to lift restrictions on the recruitment of citizens of the Republic of Mali to professional positions within ECOWAS institutions.
2. The Authority decides to lift financial and economic Sanctions on the Republic of Guinea.
3. The Authority instructs the President of the Commission to invite all four ECOWAS Member States in transition to technical and consultative meetings of ECOWAS as well as to all security-related meetings.
4. The Authority decides to maintain all other measures provided for by the relevant decisions and instruments of ECOWAS and the African Union and to review them from time to time in accordance with progress realized.
5. The Authority calls on ECOWAS Institutions, Member States, WAEMU and all other regional institutions to implement these decisions.

On the Withdrawal of the Three Countries, the Authority:

1. Takes note of the notifications by the three Member States of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.
2. Draws the attention of the three Member States to Article 91 of the 1993 ECOWAS Revised Treaty regarding the procedures of withdrawal while urging the countries to reconsider the decision, in view of the benefits that all ECOWAS Member States and their citizens enjoy for being part of the Community.
3. Expresses its Concern over the socio-economic, political, security and humanitarian impacts of the decision, particularly on the citizens of the three Member States and on the regional integration process, and further urges the three Member States to resort to dialogue, negotiation, and mediation to address their concerns.
4. Urges the three Member States to adhere to the provisions of the 1993 Revised Treaty, relating to withdrawal, particularly Article 91.
5. Directs the ECOWAS Commission to sustain the Community’s rapprochement and overtures towards the three Member States and continue to remain seized of the situation.
6. Instructs the ECOWAS Commission to engage the African Union, UEMOA, UN and other international organizations as well as bilateral partners on the issue with a view to convincing the three Member States to remain in the Community.
7. Directs the ECOWAS Commission to broaden the Community outreach towards the three Member States to include traditional and religious leaders, eminent personalities, civil society and women leaders for the unity and security of the region.
8. Reiterates the urgent need for the ECOWAS Commission to expedite the operationalization of the Standby Force in its kinetic mode to fight against terrorism in the region, including the elements of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the Accra Initiative, as directed by the Authority. In this regard, instructs the Commission as soon as possible to convene the meeting of Ministers of Finance and Defence to propose modalities for financing and equipping the counter-terrorism force.
9. Further instructs the Commission to develop an effective communication strategy in engaging Member States and the Community citizens in view of the ongoing mis/disinformation targeted at undermining ECOWAS.
   On the Republic of Senegal 42. The Authority takes note of the end of President Macky Sall’s term of office on 2 April 2024 and commends him for the tremendous achievements in infrastructure and economic development he has realized as President of the Republic of Senegal and for his invaluable leadership in Africa and the world.
10. The Authority Calls on all Senegalese stakeholders to give priority to dialogue with a view to preserving the democratic gains of Senegal through a free, inclusive and transparent Presidential election