BREAKING: ECOWAS lifts sanctions against Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lifted sanctions imposed on Niger Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso, member nations that are ruled by military.

The resolution was taken at the extraordinary summit on the peace, political and security situation in the ECOWAS sub-region in Abuja on Saturday.

The regional bloc, however, said the political and targeted sanctions remain.

The authorities of ECOWAS on Saturday said the decision was based on humanitarian considerations, especially because of the  Lenten period and the approaching month of Ramadan.

The regional bloc also lifted sanctions on the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.