The Niger Republic junta, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, has taken legal action against the authorities of the Head of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the sanctions imposed by the regional bloc following the military takeover of power in the country.

The coup leaders have filed a case in the ECOWAS court, seeking the immediate lifting of the sanctions imposed by their West African neighbors. The ECOWAS court, during its session in Abuja on Monday, scheduled December 7, 2023, to deliver its judgment on the case. The junta, represented by their lawyers including Moukaila Yaye, argued that the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS were excessively stringent and specifically targeted at the people of Niger.

Yaye emphasized that these sanctions have adversely affected every sector of Nigerien society, causing severe economic hardship in one of the world’s poorest countries. The applicants further urged the court to affirm its competence to examine the case and declare the application admissible according to the court’s protocols.

On the other hand, the respondents—ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, the Mediation and Security Council, and the ECOWAS Commission—represented by François Kanga-Penond, argued that the junta is not recognized under the bloc’s protocol and lacks the authority to bring such a case to court.