Former President of the Constitutional Court, Robert Dossou, held a press conference on Friday, September 15, to clarify the situation regarding the coup in Niger and to shed light on the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Professor Robert Dossou, the former president of the Constitutional Court of Benin, conducted this exercise to explain the functioning and mode of operation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to members of the media. He justified his media appearance due to the confusion sparked by the coup that occurred on July 26th in Niger.
Amidst the flood of information, fake news, intentional misinformation, and an avalanche of criticism directed at ECOWAS, the legal expert decided to provide clarity. The university professor’s intervention focused on three essential points: the status of the coup in the ECOWAS space, the appropriate response from the sub-regional organization, and what to do in light of the situation in Niger.
On the first point, the speaker, based on the texts that establish the sub-regional organization, stated that coups are prohibited within the ECOWAS space.
Regarding the barrage of criticism directed at ECOWAS, Robert Dossou argued that, based on its texts, the regional organization is justified in taking the actions it has taken. The speaker nuanced his statement by emphasizing that having good texts is one thing, and effectively communicating them to the population and knowing how to use them in various contexts is another.
In summary, Robert Dossou offered a suggestion to ECOWAS regarding the situation in Niger. He urged the regional organization to lift the embargo on food and pharmaceutical products.
As for military intervention, Robert Dossou advised restraint to ECOWAS. “I do not want to say more,” he concluded.
