Mr. Sidie Tunis, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, has indicated that sanctions on Niger Republic will be put on hold if the military junta releases President Mohamed Bazoum. This assurance was given during a courtesy visit by a 19-member delegation from Africans Without Borders to Mr. Tunis in Abuja.
The purpose of the visit was to seek parliamentary support in lifting sanctions on Niger with the aim of alleviating the hardships faced by the ordinary citizens of the country. The Speaker urged the delegation to work towards the unconditional release of President Bazoum and his family, emphasizing the importance of a swift transition to restore constitutional governance in the country.
Tunis pointed out that despite numerous efforts by the regional bloc, there has been no positive outcome since the military junta ousted the democratically elected government in Niger. He stressed the significance of citizens’ intervention in diplomatic efforts, stating that diplomatic engagement by the citizens could play a crucial role in addressing not only the issues in Niger but also broader challenges in the African continent.