The Economic Community of West African States is expected to halt sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, who are under military rule after juntas overthrew the civilian governments of all three countries.
Reports have it that with the lifted sanctions, the bloc would attempt to talk the three alienated states out of their decision to withdraw.
A source who spoke in anonymity revealed that “ECOWAS is likely to lift the sanctions against those three states. For the sake of brotherhood, they don’t want them to go.
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That is why, recently, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), a founding member, has been intervening. He pleaded that something should be done immediately.”
Another source who spoke under anonymity said, “At tomorrow’s meeting, they are going to lift the sanctions and suspension and ask them to return to the fold. They are our brothers. It is the coup that has put us asunder.”
Recalling, the military-led juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal in late January over “illegal sanctions” harming their people.
They also alleged that the bloc had fallen under the influence of foreign governments whose interests they said were far from the people.