The ECOWAS Court of Justice is set to issue a ruling on a complaint filed by the legal team of former Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in a coup in July 2023. Since the coup, Bazoum has been held at his residence within the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger’s capital, under what his lawyers describe as “sequestration and arbitrary detention.” The court’s decision is expected on November 30.

In addition to Bazoum’s complaint, the ECOWAS Court had reviewed Niger’s request to ease the sanctions imposed by the regional body following the coup. Niger’s government, represented by lawyer Younkaila Yaye, argued that these sanctions have severely impacted every sector of Nigerien society. However, ECOWAS opposed the request for relaxing sanctions before the final judgment is made.

This legal battle comes amid ongoing political turmoil in Niger, where Mohamed Bazoum became the fifth president to be overthrown since the country’s independence from France in 1960. Previous leaders, including Hamani Diori, Niger’s first president, also faced imprisonment or house arrest following coups.

The court’s upcoming ruling on Bazoum’s detention will be closely watched as ECOWAS continues to pressure Niger’s military regime to restore civilian rule while balancing the impacts of sanctions on the country.