WEST AFRICA: Regional bloc Ecowas lifted travel restrictions and sanctions on Niger at the weekend, as it begged Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso — three countries which have all undergone military coups opposed to French military and economic dominance — to reconsider their withdrawal.

It’s a climbdown as Niger has not met any of the bloc’s demands, which included an elections timeline and the release of the former president from custody.

It also lifted a ban on Malian individuals holding Ecowas positions.