ECOWAS COURT RECEIVES NIGERIA ICRC DELEGATION, COMMITS TO EXPAND COOPERATION

A team of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) led by its Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Yann Bonzon, paid a courtesy visit on the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS.

In his welcome address, Justice Asante expressed the commitment of the Community Court of Justice in strengthen collaboration with the ICRC. He asserted the importance of maintaining communication, stressing that the need for cooperative efforts could lead to enhanced humanitarian laws, ultimately benefiting the citizens of the region. He also proposed organizing a program focused on transitional justice.

Mr Bonzon said the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two organisations particularly exploring ways of expanding the memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Community Court in 2019.

He underscored the ICRC’s extensive 34-year involvement in Nigeria, particularly in the conflict-affected Northeast, where the organization is playing a crucial role in ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence.

Mr. Bonzon conveyed the readiness of the ICRC to participate in discussions relating to humanitarian issues in any of the Community Court’s programmes, especially a proposed yearly retreats involving Chief Justices.  

Other judges in attendance comprised the Vice-President Justice Gbéri-Bè Ouattara, Justices Dupe Atoki and Sengu Mohamed Koroma. Dr. Diallo Ousmane, the Director of Research and Documentation, the focal point of the Court, was also present at the meeting.

Mr. Yann Bonzon was accompanied by Mr Rafiullah Qureshi, Deputy Head of Delegation and Mrs Juliet Kelechi Unubi, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor.