The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will hold a high-level bilateral meeting in the Republic of Guinea from March 2 to 4, 2026, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen the enforcement of its judgments across Member States.
The three-day engagement, organised to commemorate ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary, is expected to bring together the Court’s delegation, Guinea’s Competent National Authority (CNA), senior government officials and civil society representatives to address persistent challenges in implementing the Court’s rulings.
Central to the discussions is the need to close the gap between judicial pronouncements and their execution at the national level. While the ECOWAS Court has delivered landmark judgments on human rights, governance and community law, compliance remains uneven in some jurisdictions.
The Guinea dialogue is aimed at fostering a more coordinated, transparent and effective enforcement framework. Participants are expected to examine compliance rates, review procedural bottlenecks and identify best practices to enhance uniformity in enforcement mechanisms across the sub-region.
The programme will include a dedicated forum assessing the current status of enforcement of the Court’s judgments in Guinea, alongside presentations on the Court’s enforcement processes and the national legal framework. Civil society organisations will also engage directly with the Court in a bilateral dialogue designed to promote accountability and inclusive participation.
During the visit, the Court’s delegation will pay courtesy calls on key government officials, including the Minister in charge of ECOWAS Affairs, the Ministers of Justice and Finance, the President of the Supreme Court and the Speaker of Parliament. Meetings are also scheduled with the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission and the President of the Bar Association.
The delegation will be led by the President of the Court, Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, and will include Vice-President Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara, as well as directors and other officials.
Similar bilateral engagements have previously been held in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, reflecting the Court’s broader strategy to institutionalise cooperation and reinforce the authority of its judgments throughout West Africa.
As ECOWAS marks five decades of regional integration, the Guinea meeting signals renewed determination to ensure that the decisions of its judicial arm are not only pronounced but fully implemented, strengthening the rule of law and deepening trust in regional justice systems.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Follow us on:
