Nigeria has agreed to reinstate electricity supply to Niger Republic following the lifting of sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The decision to restore power comes in the wake of an extraordinary summit held in Abuja, where ECOWAS resolved to lift sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
These sanctions, including the cutoff of electricity supply to Niger last August, were imposed in response to political upheaval in the affected countries. The move to lift sanctions follows appeals from influential figures like General Yakubu Gowon and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who chairs ECOWAS, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and regional stability. President Tinubu underscored ECOWAS' commitment to humanitarian concerns, urging the facilitation of essential aid to affected populations.
The decision also entails lifting various economic and financial restrictions, aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts on citizens and promoting regional integration. Additionally, ECOWAS called for the release of ousted Niger President Mohammed Bazoom and urged the affected countries to reconsider their withdrawal from the regional bloc.
The resolution highlights the importance of dialogue, mediation, and broader stakeholder engagement in addressing regional challenges and fostering unity and security within the ECOWAS community.
