OVER 200 PARTICIPANTS EXPECTED AT THE 2023 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE ECOWAS COURT IN THE GAMBIA

About 200 people, mainly jurists, members of the academia and students will participate in the 2023 international conference of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to be hosted by The Gambia, the President of the Court, Justice Edward Amoako Asante has said.

At a meeting with officials of the country’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment in Banjul on Tuesday, 7^th March 2023, Justice Asante who led a Court delegation on an exploratory visit to the country explained that the decision to award the hosting of the conference to The Gambia was informed by the realization that the Court has not hosted any of its major activities in the country.

He used the opportunity to commend the host for the warm reception accorded to the visiting delegation of the Court on arrival on Monday, 6^th March 2023 and for setting up a committee to interface with the Court towards the successful organization of the 22^nd to 25^th May 2023 conference.

The President reiterated the request of the Court for the provision by the host government of the venue for the conference, security as well as the usual support provided by host countries in order to ensure the success of the conference which will be attended by six Chief Justices of Member States, six Attorney Generals, Heads of ECOWAS Institutions and Heads of National Units of ECOWAS Member States.

The delegation was received by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Abdoulie Jammeh, assured the delegation of the government’s determination to provide the necessary support that will ensure the hosting of a successful conference.

Also in attendance at the meeting was the Director of Regional Integration in the Ministry and Head of ECOWAS National Unit, Ndeye Tabara Touray as well as officials of the country’s Ministries of Justice and the Judiciary.

The delegation later visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where they were received, Mr. Omar Baldeh who reassured the delegation of the government’s commitment to contribute to the success of the conference.

The 2023 conference provides an opportunity for the Court to address an urgent and grave issue of concern in the ECOWAS Community legal landscape, particularly in the last two years that has seen the unconstitutional changes of government in the Republics of Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso. 

It will focus on the need for participatory democracy and constitutional order in all ECOWAS Member States agaisnt the backdrop of the regional policy of Zero Tolerance for Unconstitutional Change of Government.

In addition, participants will examine the linkages with the rule of law,  and the duty of Member States to respect, protect and fulfil human rights in their territories; the underlying factors for political instability, terrorism and insecurity in the sub region; failure by Member States to fulfil their obligations to ECOWAS; weak institutions  of  Member States; and the  lack of political will for the implementation of community obligations. 

It will also examine the mandates of the Court in facilitating the integration process of the Community and  holding Member States accountable for their Treaty obligations;  the roles of the national courts of Member States and the ECOWAS Court of Justice in  upholding and sustaining  the rule of law and constitutional democracy in the sub region;  the  ECOWAS Community Law/ ECOWAS legal order; and the challenges of enforcement of the judgments of the Court.

The 2023 hybrid conference is on the theme: ECOWAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR UNCONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT.