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The Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) ordered the “immediate release of Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s president who has been held captive since the coup that overthrew him on July 26, and that of his family. The Court ordered the defendant, the military authorities in Niamey, to release all the applicants immediately and unconditionally. It further stated that the military authorities have violated their right not to be arbitrarily detained.
The Court also asked that Mohamed Bazoum be reinstated in his position since he represented the State of Niger, adding that by overthrowing him, constitutional rights have been violated along with political rights.
Mohamed Bazoum has been confined to presidential residence with his wife Haziza and their son Salem, since he was overthrown by a coup d’état on July 26. In mid-September, the deposed president appealed to the Ecowas Court of Justice for his release and the restoration of constitutional order in the country. The application filed by his lawyers cited the arbitrary arrest and violation of the freedom of movement of Mr. Bazoum, his wife, and their son as an infringement on the constitutional rights of an elected representative.
In the meantime, as reported by www.trendsnafrica.com, the United States announced its readiness to resume cooperation with Niger, on the condition that the military regime that came to power at the end of July in a coup commits to a notably brief transition. Washington suspended its cooperation with Niger after the July 26 coup that overthrew the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. During her visit to Niamey since Tuesday, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs Ms Phee held discussions with several Nigerien officials, including the Prime Minister appointed by the military, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.
She emphasized that Niger’s military power must announce a deadline for a rapid and credible transition leading to a democratically elected government. The military proposes a maximum three-year transition period before returning power to civilians, with its duration determined by a national dialogue that will be convened imminently. Regarding the fate of the former president, Ms. Phee indicated that they have agreed to reach a satisfactory solution for him, his family, and members of his government. Mohamed Bazoum has been confined to his residence with his wife and son. Several former dignitaries have been arrested or have fled the country.
Ms. Phee participated in a summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) presidents in Abuja, which maintained heavy economic and financial sanctions imposed on Niger after the coup, conditioning their easing on a notably short transition.
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The new U.S. ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, who arrived in Niamey in mid-August, will soon present her credentials to the authorities. Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, assured this in early December indicating the normalization of ties with the US.
