[HIGHLIGHTS] Lifting of most sanctions against Niger by ECOWAS: “the social cost was very high”

ECOWAS lifted most sanctions against Niger on Saturday, citing 'humanitarian reasons' The sanctions were imposed after the takeover of power by the military regime in Niger. The sanctions hit above all the populations concerned; they had become unpopular because they were supposed to be used to bring down the junta.

ECOWAS was gambling for its survival on this issue : the Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, was for appeasement; the Togolese president, Faure Gnassimbé, openly called for the lifting of sanctions.