The current government in Niger, emanating from a coup d’etat, has made attempt to resort to the Ecowas Court to minimize the effect of the sanctions imposed by the community as a result of the unconstitutional take over of power.
The decision of the Ecowas Court could be summed up in a very simple language: those who come to seek justice must come with clean hands.
In short, an unconstitutional government cannot seek redress from a court that is bound to respect the principles and protocols of the community, and among these is the opposition to unconstitutional change of government.
There is need for citizens of the ECOWAS community to take responsibility for what is happening in their countries. The very citizens will sing and dance and elect representatives to occupy the highest post in their countries and then sing and dance in the streets for soldiers who seize power by force of arms.
There is no need for any country to have a government that complains about isolation or lack of recognition by other governments.
A government that is derived from the consent of the people will enjoy the acceptance and cooperation of all governments. This is the type of government that all peoples should wish to have in the 21st century.
