Sanctions on Togo lifted

WEST African leaders have lifted sanctions against Togo after its military-installed president stepped down. However, the African Union warned the government must now ensure its presidential elections be fair and transparent.

The presidents of Niger, Benin, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria will meet in the Togolese capital Lomé today to discuss how the election will be conducted and ways to strengthen democracy in the country, the Economic Community of West African States said.

The West African group, known as Ecowas, said it would immediately drop sanctions against Togo, after President Faure Gnassingbe resigned on Friday.