The former executive secretary of the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) says he hopes Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will respond positively to the lifting of sanctions on Niger. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, now the African Union High Representative for ‘Silencing the Guns’ conflict initiative, says this will allow the region to collectively deal with the challenges of terrorism, economic development, and governance. Chambas tells VOA’s James Butty, it is only through democratic governance that West Africa can have sustained peace.