President of the ECOWAS Commission, Gen. Birame Diop, has emphasized the need for Member States to implement decisions of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 International Conference of the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Dakar, Senegal, Diop assured that the Commission will continue to engage with Member States to ensure compliance. He commended the Court for addressing the lack of implementation of its decisions.
Diop's speech, delivered by Mr. Gaye Sowe, Director of Legal Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the gap between the authority of the Court's decisions and their execution as a significant challenge. He urged Member States to designate competent national authorities for enforcement and to prioritize compliance. The Commission will also consider practical monitoring mechanisms recommended by the Conference.
The ECOWAS President noted the impact of technology on global issues, including the role of artificial intelligence in shaping court operations and government decision-making. He emphasized the need for West Africa to develop frameworks that are African in values, human in purpose, and accountable in design. Diop looked to the Conference for bold and practical guidance on these issues.
Diop also charged the gathering to address questions on an Appellate Chamber, activating the Court's arbitration mandate, and the interface with the African Continental Free Trade Area. These issues, he noted, touch the architecture of the ECOWAS Treaty and Protocols, and any reform will require collective agreement among Member States.
Hon. Justice Recardo Claudio Monteiro Goncalves, President of the Community Court of Justice – ECOWAS, stated that the conference is being held at a significant moment in the Court's history. The Court is commemorating its 25th Anniversary and has an opportunity to assess its progress and chart a bold vision for the future.
Justice Goncalves highlighted the Court's achievements over the past 25 years, including the development of a rich body of jurisprudence that has contributed to human rights protection, legal certainty, and regional integration. However, he noted that the Court must adapt to changing realities, including technological advancements and evolving human rights challenges.
The objective of the conference is to examine challenges confronting regional justice, including the need for full and timely enforcement of the Court's judgments. The conference aims to identify practical pathways for the Court to contribute more effectively to human rights protection, innovation, good governance, and regional integration in the decades ahead.
Key points
- ECOWAS Commission President Gen. Birame Diop urges Member States to comply with ECOWAS Court of Justice decisions.
