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Sanctions Against Niger, ECOWAS Court Fixes December 7 for Ruling on Legality
Sanctions Against Niger, ECOWAS Court Fixes December 7 for Ruling on Legality
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice will on December 7, 2023 deliver its ruling on interim measures in a case between the State of Niger and seven others, and the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and two others.
The Court fixed the date after hearing both parties during its sitting held on Monday, November 21, 2023 at its Seat in Abuja/
At the hearing, the applicants represented by their lawyers Mr Moukaila Yaye and five others argued that the sanctions imposed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS have adverse effect on the Nigerien people including shortage of food, medicine and electricity, due to the closure of borders and cut off of electricity supply by Nigeria.
They asked the Court for interim court orders that will compel the Authority of Heads of State and Government to immediately suspend the sanctions.
They said that the respondents overreacted by imposing the sanctions which were not successive, and that Niger was treated unequally and unfairly compared to the other three member states (Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea) that also experienced coup d’état in recent years.
The applicants also asked the Court to declare its competence to examine the case and declare the application admissible in accordance with the Court’s texts.
The respondents namely the Authority of Heads of State, the Mediation and Security Council, and the ECOWAS Commission represented by Mr François Kanga-Penond raised an objection of inadmissibility of the application and asked the Court to reject the request of the applicants.
Kanga-Penond told the Court that coup d’état was not recognised in a democracy and that the junta does not have legal capacity to bring a case before the Court adding that, the democratically elected President has a pending case before the Court in which he is challenging the legitimacy of this same junta.
He emphasised that the lack of legal capacity of the junta to approach the Court restraints the Court from examining their request for interim measures.
In the initiating application, the applicants – the State of Niger, six Nigerien organisations and a Nigerien national asked the Court to declare the measures taken by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS during its extraordinary sessions of July 30 and August 10, 2023, allegedly aimed at restoring constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, illegal.
They requested the Court to nullify all decisions of these ECOWAS organs imposing sanctions, including the decision to resort to military intervention in the Republic of Niger.
The panel of three judges on the bench is composed of: Hon. Judge Edward Amoako Asante, President, Hon. Judge Gbéri-bè Ouattara, Judge Rapporteur/Member
Hon. Judge Dupe Atoki, Member.
Sanctions Against Niger, ECOWAS Court Fixes December 7 for Ruling on Legality
Troops rescue three abducted victims, recover ammunition in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued three abducted civilians and recovered ammunition during an operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 10:00 a.m. on March 30 by troops of 202 Battalion in collaboration with volunteer forces at BOCOBS.
According to the sources, the troops responded to credible intelligence indicating that suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram had abducted three locals in the area.
The sources said the troops made contact with the insurgents and successfully rescued all three victims during the operation.
Items recovered from the scene include one AK-47 rifle magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The sources added that the rescued victims are safe, while troops have continued to dominate the general area to prevent further incidents.
They said the operation is part of sustained efforts to protect civilians and dismantle terrorist activities across the North-East theatre.
Troops rescue three abducted victims, recover ammunition in Borno
Troops repel terrorist attack in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram on a Forward Operating Base in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 10:05 p.m. on March 30 at Forward Operating Base Bukarti.
According to the sources, the terrorists launched an attack on the troops’ position, prompting a fierce engagement during which the troops successfully repelled the assailants.
During the encounter, one soldier sustained injuries and has since been stabilised and is responding to treatment.
The sources added that the attackers carted away a gun truck mounted with a QJC gun, a Civilian Joint Task Force vehicle, two motorcycles, a PKT machine gun and a Baofeng radio.
They said troops have continued to maintain operational presence in the area, while efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen equipment and further degrade the capabilities of the insurgents.
Troops repel terrorist attack in Yobe
CJTF member accidentally shot by colleague in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) has been injured in an accidental shooting incident in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:50 a.m. on March 31 at the location of 162 Amphibious Battalion in Mandara-Girau.
According to the sources, the CJTF member was on duty when he was mistakenly shot in the left leg by a colleague.
The victim was immediately evacuated to the battalion’s medical facility, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Sources said the injured personnel are responding to treatment, while further details surrounding the incident are being awaited.
CJTF member accidentally shot by colleague in Borno
Troops arrest two suspected terrorist collaborators in Pulka
Troops rescue three abducted victims, recover ammunition in Borno
Troops repel terrorist attack in Yobe
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