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| Africa North |
| Niger: Bazoum wants regional court to reinstate him as President |
| 2023-09-22 |
| [AFRICANEWS] The deposed president of Niger, Mohammed Bazoum, has decided to take his case to the West African justice system to obtain his release and the restoration of constitutional order in the country, almost two months after a coup d'état carried out by soldiers who overthrew him and are still holding him captive. "We ask (...) in view of the violation of political rights, that the State of Niger be condemned to the immediate restoration of constitutional order by handing over power to President Bazoum, who must continue to exercise it until the end of his mandate on April 2, 2026", his Senegal ... a nation of about 14 million on the west coast of Africa bordering Mauretania to the north, Mali to the east, and a pair of Guineas to the south, one of them Bissau. It is 90 percent Mohammedan and has more than 80 political parties. Its primary purpose seems to be absorbing refugees... ese lawyer, Maître Seydou Diagne, told AFP on Wednesday. The petition filed with the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on September 18 alleges "arbitrary arrest" and "violation of the freedom of movement" of President Mohammed Bazoum, his wife Haziza and son Salem, detained with him at the presidential palace since the coup d'état on July 26. According to Maître Diagne, his "clients are victims of serious and intolerable human rights One man's rights are another man's existential threat. violations. They have the right to take their case to the competent courts. This can't aggravate their situation, it's a reason to hope that justice will be done. In the event of a favorable decision, "the State of Niger has(ura) the legal obligation to execute the decision", he assured. "What we're interested in is getting the State of Niger condemned by a court decision. Mr. Bazoum's fight is a fight through the law", he stressed. Maître Seydou Diagne also asserted that "General (Abdourahamane) Tiani (head of the military regime, editor's note) is not empowered by Nigerien law to make arrests. He has been appointed by decree since 2011 to ensure the President's security". The organization's Court of Justice is the main jurisdiction of Ecowas, made up of 5 judges chosen from among the nationals of member states. In mid-August, the coup plotters announced their intention to "prosecute" Mohammed Bazoum for "high treason" and "undermining the security" of the country. |
| Posted by:Fred |