The head of state and government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been sued by the Niger Republic junta, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, for the sanctions imposed on the nation after the military took over.

The coup leaders requested that the sanctions imposed on them by their neighbours in West Africa be promptly lifted by the ECOWAS court.

As a result, the ECOWAS court scheduled its decision for December 7, 2023, during its Monday session in Abuja.

Following the overthrow of President Mohammed Bazoum by a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) on July 26, 2023, Niger was subject to economic sanctions.

The applicants contended that the penalties imposed by ECOWAS were particularly harsh and directed at Nigeriens, supported by Moukaila Yaye and five other solicitors.

Yaye told the court, “There is not a single segment of the Nigerien society that has not been impacted by these sanctions,” which have brought immense financial suffering to one of the world’s poorest nations.

In addition, the applicants requested that the court affirm its authority to review the case and rule that the application is admissible under the court’s rules.

Represented by François Kanga-Penond, the respondents, the ECOWAS Commission, the Mediation and Security Council, and the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, contended that the junta lacks legal standing under the bloc’s protocol and lacks the authority to bring such a lawsuit in court.