On Monday, legal representatives for Niger’s former president, Mohamed Bazoum, petitioned a West African regional court to issue an order for his reinstatement, contending that his arrest and removal from office infringed upon his rights.
Bazoum has been in detention since the military seized control on July 26, alleging that he had been ineffective in addressing the escalating insecurity in the region. This event marks one of eight similar coups in West and Central Africa over the past three years.
His legal team brought his case to the Community Court of Justice, which was established to adjudicate on matters within the regional bloc ECOWAS. However, it’s worth noting that member states are not obligated to comply with its directives, and there is no established mechanism to enforce its rulings.
Seydou Diagne, a member of Bazoum’s legal team, requested the court located in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to declare that the “the brutal end of Bazoum’s government was a violation of his political rights”.
Speaking via video link from Dakar, the capital of Senegal, Diagne asserted that Bazoum should be released unconditionally and reinstated as the president.
The legal team additionally contended that the detention of Bazoum, along with his wife and son, constituted a violation of their human rights.
Aissatou Zada, a legal representative for the Niger junta, informed the court that Bazoum, along with his wife and son, were not subject to arbitrary detention or confinement. Instead, he stated that they had the freedom to move as they desired, clarifying that the president was kept at his residence for his own security.
Bazoum’s legal team indicated that they have been unable to communicate with him since October 20, following allegations by the junta that the former president was making an escape attempt with the assistance of accomplices.
The court is scheduled to make a decision on the case on November 30.
