NIGER COUP: ECOWAS Court Told To Stop Tinubu From Declaring War

A not-for-profit organisation, Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), has urged the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja to stop the planned deployment of military forces against putschists in Niger Republic.

Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s elected president, was overthrown by his presidential guards after being held hostage.

A coterie of military officers led by General Abdourhamane Tchiani had on 26 July toppled Mr Bazoum at the Presidential Palace in Niamey.

Mr Bazoum is being held by the junta in Niger.

So far, diplomatic efforts by ECOWAS to restore constitutional order in Niger have failed, prompting the regional body led by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu to issue a one-week ultimatum for the coupists’ handover power to Mr Bazoum.

Worried by the possible deployment of troops against the junta following the expiration of the ultimatum last Sunday, EMA, through its lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, approached the ECOWAS Court to halt any military intervention in Niger.

In court filings, Mr Ajulo listed ECOWAS, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, the President of ECOWAS Mission (Mr Tinubu), the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Niger as defendants.

The plaintiffs are urging the court to invoke ECOWAS treaties and other international legal instruments to stop Mr Tinubu and the regional body from intervening militarily in Niger.

In the case filed on 8 August, the plaintiffs argued that ECOWAS’ intending military action in Niger would amount to aggression which ECOWAS treaties and other international laws prohibit.

While condemning the forceful takeover of power in the country, the plaintiffs cautioned that any military intervention might aggravate the crisis with the possibility of spilling over into Nigeria.

Seven states in northern Nigeria share borders with Niger Republic.