UG prof: Govt not obliged for parliamentary nod on Niger coup troop deployment
Associate Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua from the University of Ghana School of Law has stated that it is not a constitutional requirement for the government of Ghana to consult the parliament before deploying the country’s military to Niger.
He explained that while some Members of Parliament (MPs) have called for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to consult the parliament before deploying the military, it is within the government’s discretion to make such decisions.
Appiagyei-Atua pointed out that there is no legal basis in the Ghanaian constitution that obligates the government to seek parliamentary approval for such military deployments. Instead, he referred to provisions in the constitution related to Ghana’s international law commitments, including conducting international relations in compliance with international law and diplomatic means.
He also mentioned that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has the legal right to intervene militarily in situations like the coup in Niger. ECOWAS’ treaty outlines the community’s stance against unconditional changes in government, such as coups, and its commitment to restoring constitutional rule.
ECOWAS is set to hold a meeting in Accra to discuss the situation in Niger and decide on a course of action. The meeting aims to address the recent coup in Niger and discuss potential interventions to restore constitutional governance in the country.
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