By. Mercy Peter
The Economic Community of West African States Wednesday announced the lifting of all sanctions imposed on the Republic of Guinea with immediate effect.
ECOWAS had in 2021 suspended Guinea and imposed sanctions following a military coup.
However, with the country concluding its transition programme and emergence of an elected President, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS announced the immediate lift of sanctions and suspension.
The lifting of the sanction was announced through a statement by the ECOWAS Commission Head of Communications, Joel Ahofodji.
The statement reads in part: “Authority of Heads of State and Government, following consultations between its Chair, H.E. Julius Maada Bio and his peers, decides as follows: Lift, with immediate effect, all residual sanctions against the Republic of Guinea and individuals involved in the transition process;
“Fully reintegrate the Republic of Guinea in all ECOWAS decision-making organs and regional integration activities of the Community; Encourage the Government of Guinea to leverage the restoration of constitutional order to intensify national dialogue among all Guinean stakeholders to ensure greater inclusivity, social cohesion and national consensus in the lead-up to the legislative elections and beyond;
“Urge the Government to intensify efforts aimed at consolidating democracy, good governance and the rule of law, as well as economic and social development.”
ECOWAS Heads of States and government also “congratulated Mamady Doumbouya on his election and inauguration as President of the Republic of Guinea and encourages him to pursue policies towards social cohesion, national unity and inclusive prosperity of the Guinean people.”
The ECOWAS leaders also “commended the ECOWAS Commission for accompanying the Guinean transition process to a successful conclusion and directs the Commission to develop initiatives to support the people of Guinea in their reconstruction and peace consolidation efforts;
“Commend H.E. Boni Yayi, former President of Benin, for his mediation
efforts in Guinea; Commend the African Union, the United Nations and all other partners for
accompanying the transition process in Guinea;
“Encourage Member States, the African Union, the United Nations, and all international partners to continue their support towards stabilization, consolidation of democracy and sustainable development in the Republic of Guinea; Remain actively seized of the situation in Guinea.”
