The UEMOA Court of Justice is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of promoting regional integration through jurisprudence. To commemorate this milestone, an international colloquium was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on November 3, 2026. The event was attended by notable figures, including Burkinabé Minister of Justice Me Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, UEMOA Commissioner Lassine Bouaré, and Court of Justice President Kuami Gaméli Lodonou.
The colloquium, themed "The UEMOA Court of Justice: 30 Years of Jurisprudence in Service of Regional Integration," aims to assess the court's progress and reflect on the future of community justice. President Lodonou highlighted the significance of this anniversary, emphasizing the court's role in constructing a Union founded on law and developing community justice. He noted that the court's creation in 1994, installation in 1995, and full operationalization in 1996 have contributed substantially to regional integration.
The court's president emphasized the importance of evaluating its jurisprudential achievements, examining challenges, and defining necessary orientations to strengthen its role in regional integration. The colloquium features a conference on the court's role in constructing a Union of law, as well as three thematic panels discussing the court's position within the community legal order, the opening of community litigation to individuals, and dialogue among judges in contentious cases before the court.
Commissioner Lassine Bouaré expressed his delight in participating in the ceremony, highlighting the court's creation as a response to the ambition of establishing an organ to ensure respect for community law and consolidate regional integration. He noted that the meeting provides a platform for reflection and sharing on jurisprudential achievements, expressing confidence that the discussions will yield useful perspectives for the court's future.
Bouaré emphasized the principle of community law primacy, as established by the court's jurisprudence, and cited several significant decisions, including the March 18, 2003, opinion and April 8, 2020, judgment. He also mentioned the court's role in ensuring uniform application of law in member states and its future challenges, such as digitalizing procedures and improving accessibility.
The UEMOA Court of Justice aims to leverage its 30th anniversary as a moment of reflection on its achievements and a springboard for more accessible, effective, and adapted community justice. President Lodonou expressed gratitude to UEMOA Commission President Abdoulaye Diop for supporting the commemoration. The court's 30-year journey is seen as a testament to its contribution to regional integration and its potential to address future challenges.
As the UEMOA Court of Justice looks to the future, it is poised to address several key challenges, including digitalization, accessibility, and security. With the quality of its members and the solidity of its legal framework, the court is well-equipped to overcome these challenges and continue promoting regional integration. The commission has reiterated its commitment to supporting the court in its mission to achieve successful regional integration for the benefit of UEMOA populations.
Key points
- The UEMOA Court of Justice has played a crucial role in promoting regional integration through jurisprudence over the past 30 years.
- The court's 30th anniversary celebrations include an international colloquium aimed at assessing its progress and reflecting on the future of community justice.
- The court faces future challenges, including digitalization, accessibility, and security, but is well-equipped to address them and continue promoting regional integration.
