ECOWAS, the West African regional bloc said on Saturday (Feb 24) that it was lifting some of the sanctions imposed on Niger following military coup in the country last year. The bloc said that the decision was being taken on humanitarian grounds and a no-fly zone, asset freezes and border closures were being stopped "with immediate effect".

ECOWAS lifts some sanctions on coup-hit Niger, unfreezes assets

The West African regional bloc said it would lift strict sanctions on Niger as it seeks a new strategy to dissuade three junta-led states from withdrawing from the political and economic union - a move that threatens regional integration.

West African bloc ECOWAS lifts sanctions on junta-led Niger

West African leaders plan to create a regional peacekeeping force in light of recent military coups

Mali junta plans 'transitional' govt as West African bloc stands by Ibrahim Boubacar Keita