Breaking: Mohamed Bazoum, to Be Freed by ECOWAS Court Order

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has issued an order mandating the immediate release of the deposed President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum. Bazoum, ousted in the coup on July 26th, has been under detention since then.

The verdict came forth on Friday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, where the ECOWAS Court deemed Bazoum’s continued detention as unlawful and insisted upon his release “immediately and unconditionally.” Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS/CEDEAO) has formally suspended the Republic of Niger from all sub-regional bodies, pending the restoration of constitutional order within the country.

The decision was articulated following deliberations at the summit of heads of state and government convened on Sunday in Abuja. Prior to the 64th ordinary session on December 10, 2023, the Conference of Heads of State and Government deemed the situation in Niger as a coup attempt, continuing to recognize Mohamed Bazoum as the President of the Republic of Niger and the Head of State.

In response, the ECOWAS decision-making bodies suspended Niger, stressing the need for the restoration of constitutional order to re-engage with the nation. However, the ECOWAS leaders’ meeting on Sunday in Abuja proposed the release of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum by the military junta, seeking the lifting of sanctions imposed on Niger in exchange for his freedom.

Despite this proposal, the junta’s leader, Omar Abdourahmane Tchiani, rejected the offer, standing firm on Bazoum’s continued detention. The sub-regional body proposed lifting the sanctions in exchange for Bazoum’s release and urging the junta to shorten the transition period, which currently stands at three years. While Tchiani accepted the latter request, the extent of the reduction remained unspecified. ECOWAS also confirmed the continuation of sanctions against Niger.