A Political Scientist and International Security Analyst at Leeds Beckett University, Olayinka Ajala, has proposed a new approach for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address the situation in Niger following the recent coup.
He emphasized that ECOWAS can effectively resolve the crisis without resorting to the use of force, thereby preserving its credibility as an organization.
In an interview with the media on Tuesday, Ajala pointed out that ECOWAS made a mistake by imposing sanctions simultaneously.
He recommended that the regional bloc should reconsider its strategy and engage in negotiations for a shorter transition period instead.
Ajala expressed the need for a recalibration of the sanctions, acknowledging that the current measures have not significantly impacted the coup leaders.
He suggested that while certain sanctions, particularly those targeting the junta and their leaders, should be retained, others, such as the closure of borders and the restoration of electricity supply to Niger, should be lifted.
“There needs to be a realignment of sanctions. ECOWAS needs to take a step back and restrategize. The sanctions are not obviously affecting the juntas as much as we would have liked,” he said.
“Traditionally, sanctions don’t affect people at the top. So I think that ECOWAS needs to still keep some elements of the sanctions, especially on the junta and their leaders, but they need to release the sanctions affecting people, especially the closure of borders and Nigeria needs to restore electricity,” he stated.