The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders on Sunday kept sanctions imposed on Niger after a July military coup and said they would need to see progress towards a transition to civilian rule before easing the measures. The lifting of sanctions is also contingent on the release of ousted Niger president Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS said. "Sierra Leone, Benin and Togo are now in charge of negotiations between the military junta and ECOWAS," FRANCE 24's correspondent Harold Girard said.
