ECOWAS Ministers of Justice have met in Banjul to validate two critical legal instruments of the Community Court of Justice, a step seen as pivotal in strengthening the Court’s role in human rights protection, dispute resolution, and regional integration.
The meeting, followed a four-day expert review of the Draft Harmonised Protocol and the Draft Arbitration Rules of the Court.
Welcoming delegates, Vice President of The Gambia, H.E. Muhammed B.S. Jallow, described the gathering as a “historic milestone” that consolidates the Court’s mandate.
“The new Arbitration Rules will provide a credible regional mechanism for resolving commercial disputes, boosting investor confidence and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said on behalf of President Adama Barrow.
The Chair of the ECOWAS Ministers of Justice, H.E. Alpha Sesay of Sierra Leone, emphasized the wider impact of the instruments.
“The Court remains a beacon of justice and a symbol of our collective commitment to regional integration and the rule of law,” he stated. “Our work here will strengthen access to justice for citizens and safeguard human rights.”
Gambia’s Attorney General and Justice Minister, H.E. Dawda A. Jallow, underscored the importance of aligning the Court’s framework with international standards.
“The ECOWAS Court has the potential to become a continental hub for arbitration, addressing both human rights and economic disputes,” he remarked.
President of the Court, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, explained that the new Harmonised Protocol consolidates over two decades of judicial practice.
“This Protocol reflects lessons learned and ensures consistency with the Revised ECOWAS Treaty. It will reinforce the Court’s ability to deliver justice effectively while upholding equity and human rights,” he noted.
Also speaking, Madam Miatta Lily French, ECOWAS Resident Representative to The Gambia, commended the initiative to streamline judicial processes and improve the Court’s efficiency.
The validated instruments will be submitted to the Authority of Heads of State and Government for adoption. Once in force, they are expected to eliminate inconsistencies, strengthen arbitration mechanisms for commercial disputes, and enhance legal certainty across Member States.
