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West African bloc lifts sanctions on junta-led Niger

West African bloc lifts sanctions on junta-led Niger

THE West African regional bloc said that it would lift strict sanctions on Niger as it seeks a new strategy to dissuade three junta-led states from withdrawing from the political and economic union - a move that threatens regional integration. Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met to address a political crisis in the coup-hit region that deepened in January with military-ruled Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali's decision to exit the 15-member bloc. After closed-door talks, ECOWAS said it had decided to lift Niger sanctions including border closures, the freezing of central bank and state assets, and the…
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West African bloc imposes sanctions on Guinea, Mali

West African bloc imposes sanctions on Guinea, Mali

WEST Africa's main regional bloc has imposed sanctions against the junta in Guinea and those slowing Mali's post-coup transition - its toughest response yet to a run of military takeovers. The move was agreed at an emergency summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Accra to respond to last week's putsch in Guinea and perceived slow progress towards constitutional rule in Mali following a coup last year. Regional heads of state decided to freeze the financial assets and impose travel bans on Guinea's junta members and their relatives, insisting on the release of President Alpha Conde…
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West African bloc may lift Mali sanctions soon, says envoy

West African bloc may lift Mali sanctions soon, says envoy

TIEMOKO DIALLO WEST African leaders may lift painful economic sanctions against Mali once an interim president is inaugurated on Friday in the wake of the August 18 military coup, the bloc's envoy said, praising the junta's leadership. The comments suggest the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) could accept the candidates picked this week to lead the transition of power, although they do not have the fully civilian background the bloc had demanded. The easing of sanctions would be a relief for Mali, whose imports have slumped 30% since its neighbours closed borders and halted financial flows after…
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