The Digital Good Governance of Africa has described the arrest and detention of Venezuelan diplomat, Alex Saab as illegal.
The institution has also described the disregard for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court as unfortunate and insult to the court.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court has ruled that the arrest and detention, was illegal.
The Ecowas court in Abuja said diplomat Alex Saab should be released and paid $200,000 for unlawful detention.
The AfBA on March 8 had also ordered Cape Verde Island to immediately release Mr Saab, an accredited Venezuelan special envoy and alternate permanent representative to the African Union.
Mr Saab was arrested by the Cape Verdean authorities in June 2020 for alleged money laundering.
Speaking to the issue, Regional Political Analyst of Digital Good Governance Africa Peter Bismark Kwofie said the action violates global diplomatic virtues and statutes, as contained in the Vienna Convention.
He was emphatic that external powers are behind the violation.
He noted that the move is an attempt to satisfy the whims of a superpower.
He was disappointed the African Union has failed to react to the issues.
He added, it seems that the AU and the EWOWAS sub-region are scared of the superpowers.
He reiterated the need for Cape Verde to comply with the order of the court to release him while halting all processes of extradition to the United States.
He has also asked President Akufo-Addo to react to the issue since he is the Chair of ECOWAS.
He believes President Akufo-Addo must react to the issue and ensure that the diplomat is released as ordered by the court.
He noted the consistency of his illegal arrest and detention should guide the President to respond.
On her part, Human Rights activist for Digital Good Governance Africa, Anastasia Amissah, added that the rights of the diplomat are being fringed upon.
She indicated that the ECOWAS protocol states that the decision of the court, is final and immediately enforceable hence Cape Verde should allow the rule of law to prevail.
”They should stop subverting the goal of ECOWAS and undermining the ECOWAS court of justice. The court has ruled, and yet you want to undermine the ruling of the court. Cape Verde should respect the integrity, the authority, the independence of the ECOWAS Court of justice,” she added.
Nathaniel Dwamena, a Civic Advocate for the group noted the proper forum have spoken on the matter and the ECOWAS court’s decision must be obeyed.
Failure to obey it would lead to instability in the sub-region.
”It is not something we would want.; It is an important issue we have to deal with,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com
