Niger lobbies ECOWAS leaders to lift sanctions

Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - Mr Ali Badjo Gamatie, Prime Minister of Niger, on an eight-nation West African tour, on Monday delivered a special message from Nigerien President Mamadou Tandja to President John Evans Atta Mills at the Osu Castle in Accra.

The content of the message was not disclosed. However, it is believed to be a plea with leaders Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lift sanctions on Niger following the decision of the President Tandja to review the constitution to extend his term of office.

Briefing journalists, Mr Gamatie said President Mills gave him and his delegation a very good welcome but expressed concern about the crisis and its effects on the people in Niger.

He said the President stressed the need for peace and urged the various political factions to use dialogue to address their differences, adding that whatever support Niger would receive from Ghana would be in the best interest of all Nigeriens.

The European Union has also placed sanctions on Niger. However, Mr Gamatie said the sanctions had stemmed from lack of communication "and the way things have been presented are different from the situation on the ground".

He said despite the suspension of Niger from the ECOWAS, it still remained a member of the group, and it was appropriate, in addition to internal peace efforts, to inform the leaders of the sub-regional body about the situation in the country.

Mr Gamatie also congratulated the Black Satellites for winning of the World Under-20 football cup this year, and described their victory as a victory for Africa.

The Ghana News Agency learned from a source close to the Prime Minister that the delegation had so far been to Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.