Overview

• ECOWAS lifts sanctions on Niger, Mali, and Guinea, aiming to encourage a return to electoral democracy but faces criticism for potentially being too late.
• The sanctions, intended to reverse military coups, have instead emboldened juntas and fueled resentment among the populations of the affected countries.
• Despite the lifting of sanctions, the formation of the Sahel States by the juntas signals a continued divergence from ECOWAS.
• Critics argue ECOWAS' actions reflect a broader failure to address democratic erosion and serve the region's elites rather than its people.
• The sanctions have had severe economic impacts on the populations of the sanctioned countries, exacerbating food insecurity and hindering humanitarian aid.