The city of Lomé, Togo, is hosting an international colloquium on the theme "Regional Human Rights Jurisdictions between Guarantee of the Rule of Law, Control of Constitutional Changes, and State Sovereignty." The event, organized by the Public Law Center of the University of Lomé, brings together eminent practitioners of public law from various African countries to discuss the delicate balance between regional jurisdictions and state sovereignty. The colloquium aims to promote fruitful exchanges to consolidate achievements and pave the way for the future.
The event, which began on October 29, 2026, features several panels and presentations by renowned experts in the field. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Professor Alloune Sall from Senegal, who discussed "African Community Jurisdictions for the Protection of Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law." Professor Sall highlighted the challenges facing regional justice and the steps needed to build and consolidate a community-based rule of law. Other notable presenters include Professors Kossivi Hounaké, Adama Kpodar, Dodzi Kokoroko, and Joseph Junior Kodjo from Togo, as well as experts from Cameroon, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Bénin, and Burkina Faso.
The President of the University of Lomé, Professor Kossivi Hounaké, posed a crucial question: "To what extent can a community jurisdiction protect the rule of law without disregarding the sovereignty of the states that established it?" He emphasized the importance of norms, commitments, and considerations that subject powers to the law, while also ensuring guarantees for different parties and judges. According to Professor Hounaké, the challenge lies in protecting guarantees without making the judge a general censor of constituent and constitutional choices.
The Director-Adjoint of the Public Law Center, Professor Joseph Junior Kodjo, expressed his satisfaction with the massive participation of peers and the excellence of the lineup, which promises fruitful exchanges and significant outcomes for regional justice and jurisdictions. The colloquium features several panels, including discussions on the mechanisms of regional jurisdictions and their implications for state sovereignty.
The event has drawn a large audience, including administrative authorities such as ministers, deputies, and senators. The colloquium aims to question the contemporary challenges of regional justice, the rule of law, and state sovereignty. Participants seek to identify solutions to the complex issues arising from the intersection of regional jurisdictions and state sovereignty.
The discussions focus on the limits of state sovereignty and the role of regional jurisdictions in protecting human rights. Experts examine the mechanisms of regional jurisdictions and their implications for state sovereignty. The goal is to find a balance between protecting human rights and respecting state sovereignty.
After two days of intense discussions, the colloquium concluded with a renewed commitment to promoting the rule of law and human rights in Africa. Participants emphasized the need for continued dialogue and cooperation between regional jurisdictions and states to address the challenges of human rights protection and state sovereignty.
Key points
- Togo hosts international colloquium to discuss challenges of human rights protection and state sovereignty in regional jurisdictions.
- Experts call for balance between protecting human rights and respecting state sovereignty.
- Colloquium aims to promote fruitful exchanges to consolidate achievements and pave the way for the future.
