ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the release of Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum.
Bazoum, members of his family and political allies have been held hostage by the military junta led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani since a July 26 coup.
The court in his judgment on Friday, 15 December, 2023, called for Bazoum’s “immediate and unconditional release” and his reinstatement as president of the republic.
Report has it that the deposed President is held hostage in his presidential residence with his wife and their son since he was overthrown.
The court ruling stated that there are constitutional rights that have been violated and that Bazoum is the one who represents the state of Niger.
It however unlikely that the Nigerien junta obeys the court judgment for military rulers are not in the tradition of respecting court rulings.
One of Bazoum’s lawyers, Seydou Diagne speaking on the ruling, said that the court’s decisions are not subject to any appeal.
He noted that the court has convicted military authorities for violating the principles of the constitution of ECOWAS with their coup d’etat, insisting that it is now the responsibility of ECOWAS and its member states to ensure that this court decision is effectively applied.
ECOWAS has also suspended Niger from all of its “decision-making bodies” until constitutional order is restored.
