West African Court Orders Release and Reinstatement of Niger's President, Restoring Democracy

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the release and reinstatement of Niger's democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, nearly five months after he was overthrown by mutinous soldiers in a coup. The court ruled that Bazoum and his family were arbitrarily detained and called for his restoration to office. This is the first binding order from an international court on restoring Niger to democratic rule. The ruling adds pressure on the ruling junta, which has refused to release or reinstate Bazoum despite economic and trade sanctions imposed by ECOWAS.