ECOWAS can not justify any intervention in Niger without the authorisation of the Security Council -Says Falana

 Human right lawyer Femi Falana, had advised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to seek the consent of the United Nations security council carryout any interventions in Niger Republic

Femi Falana stated that any intervention by the ECOWAS, apart from being subject to the authorisation of the Security Council, must be on a collective basis and not a unilateral one

The statement comes following the one week ultimatum by president Bola Tinubu requesting the release of Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held by the military for over 10 days 

“The Security Council shall, where appropriate, utilize such regional arrangements or agencies for enforcement action under its authority

“But no enforcement action shall be taken under regional arrangements or by regional agencies without the authorization of the Security Council

“Therefore, the ECOWAS can not justify any intervention in Niger without the authorisation of the Security Council

“It is also clear that any intervention by the ECOWAS, apart from being subject to the authorisation of the Security Council, must be on a collective basis and not a unilateral one