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Violation of AU Charter: African lawyers chide Cape Verde

African lawyers under the umbrella of the African Bar Association (ABA) have accused the government of Cape Verde of violation of the African Union (AU)…

African lawyers under the umbrella of the African Bar Association (ABA) have accused the government of Cape Verde of violation of the African Union (AU) Charter and ECOWAS Protocols over alleged unlawful detention of a foreign diplomat.

The President of ABA, Hannibal Uwaifo, made the accusation on Saturday while briefing newsmen on the petition received from Mrs. Camilla Fabri, the wife of a Venezuelan diplomat, Mr. Alex Saab, who is being unlawfully detained in Cape Verde under very controversial circumstances and in violation of International Law and ECOWAS Protocols.

Ambassador Saab in his capacity as Special Envoy of Venezuela was travelling from Caracas to Tehran on 12 June 2020. His plane made a technical refuelling stop on the Cape Verdean island of Sal during which he was detained.

The ABA president said his detention was unlawful as no Red Notice had been issued at the time of the detention, adding that Ambassador Saab, who enjoys immunity and inviolability as a Special Envoy of Venezuela, was carrying documents which identified him as such as well as the purpose of his humanitarian Special Mission to Iran.

“This unacceptable situation may also encourage other countries within ECOWAS and the AU to succumb to illegal pressures, violate ECOWAS Protocols and treaties and the Geneva Convention. This, in turn, will lead to chaos and a total break-down of our much-cherished cohesion as a sub-regional group,” he said.

“The ABA finds this situation embarrassing as defenders and custodians of the Rule of Law and due process in the ECOWAS region and African continent. We, therefore, advise the Government of Cape Verde to toe the line of legality, respect the rule of law and immediately release Mr. Alex Saab to continue with his legitimate mission.

“If Cape Verde does not follow this path of legality, the African Bar Association may be obliged to call for comprehensive sanctions against the country by ECOWAS, the AU and UN,” the ABA president stated.

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