Court in West Africa orders reinstatement of deposed Niger leader

The West African court, on Friday, issued a ruling demanding the restoration of Mohamed Bazoum, the ousted president of Niger, citing the arbitrary detention of Bazoum and his family following the military coup on July 26.

According to Bazoum’s party and relatives, they have been detained without access to essential amenities like running water and electricity.

This coup faced widespread condemnation, resulting in sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and widespread appeals for Bazoum’s release and the reinstatement of democratic governance.

Bazoum, along with his family, lodged a complaint with the ECOWAS Court of Justice in September, leading to Judge Gberi-Be Ouattara’s ruling for the junta to restore constitutional order by reinstating Bazoum and ensuring his immediate and unconditional release. The junta has yet to respond to this verdict.

Reports indicate that Bazoum, his wife, and son remain confined in the presidential residence in Niamey without access to legal proceedings or contact with a magistrate.

Expressing their views on the ruling, Mohamed Seydou Diagne, one of Bazoum’s lawyers, labeled the decision as a “historic” denouncement of Niger’s self-appointed military rulers.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice holds ultimate jurisdiction in the region, and its rulings are final with no avenue for appeal. The court has granted the junta a month to outline its plan for executing the order.

Niger’s coup adds to a series of similar events in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso in recent years, resulting in military governments distancing themselves from former colonial powers and other Western allies.

Furthermore, ECOWAS convened a summit in Nigeria where a committee of heads of state was established to negotiate with Niger’s junta.

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