President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has officially inaugurated a four-day conference of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice. The theme for this year's conference is "Enhancing the role, relevance, and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the strengthening of synergies between the Court and National Stakeholders".
President Bio expressed his pleasure at Sierra Leone being chosen as the venue for the 2024 conference. He reminded attendees that Sierra Leone was one of the founding members of ECOWAS in May 1975 and has remained dedicated to its ideals and aspirations.
"The need for cooperation and integration amongst our people in West Africa requires our concerted and best efforts," said President Bio. He added that such cooperation and integration are partly key to prosperity in the sub-region and to improving people's well-being.
He emphasized that the ECOWAS Court of Justice plays a crucial role in promoting these noble objectives by upholding justice, fairness, and rule of law across the region. As members of ECOWAS, he stated, they are bound together by a shared vision of regional integration, cooperation, peace, and prosperity.
President Bio confirmed that establishing the Court in 2001 was a significant step by member countries towards fostering integration and cooperation. He also highlighted how much progress it has made since its inception as proof of its importance.
The President attributed some of these gains to an expanded jurisdiction which aligns with the Amended Protocol of 2005. This includes authority to adjudicate alleged human rights violations committed against community citizens.
He commended the leadership of the ECOWAS Court for what he described as progressive steps towards increasing its vital role in providing additional justice delivery options to ECOWAS community citizens.
Vice President Hon. Justice Gbéri-Bè Ouattara reiterated that the Lagos Treaty established the court on May 28, 1975. The Revised ECOWAS Treaty, adopted in July 1993, is recognized as the fundamental charter of ECOWAS and the roadmap for economic integration.
Keynote speaker Professor Ernest Kofi Abotsi discussed the topic of enhancing the role, relevance, and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court through strengthening synergies between the court and national stakeholders. He argued that courts are not meant to engage with any constituencies, actual or perceived. He described this idea as odd and inconsistent with the judicial institution's character, which should be detached, neutral, and authoritative in its pronouncements.
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