By Mohammed Bello Doka
In a significant move towards regional cooperation, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate reopening of Nigeria's land and air borders with the Republic of Niger, along with the lifting of various sanctions imposed on the country. This decision comes following the directives issued by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its extraordinary summit held on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.
At the summit, ECOWAS leaders collectively agreed to lift economic sanctions against several member states, including the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. President Tinubu's directive specifically targets the Republic of Niger, aiming to restore normalcy and foster closer ties between the two neighboring nations.
The sanctions being lifted with immediate effect include the closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as the ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger. Additionally, the suspension of commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, along with the freeze of assets in ECOWAS Central Banks and commercial banks, will be lifted.
Furthermore, President Tinubu has approved the revocation of travel bans on government officials and their family members, signaling a willingness to engage in diplomatic dialogue and cooperation. This decision is poised to facilitate increased trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges between Nigeria and Niger, thereby contributing to regional stability and prosperity.
With these measures in place, President Tinubu reaffirms Nigeria's commitment to promoting peace, security, and economic integration within the ECOWAS region. As borders reopen and sanctions are lifted, the stage is set for enhanced collaboration and mutual benefit between Nigeria and its neighbors, heralding a new era of cooperation and development.
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