The President of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Court of justice, Justice Edward Asante says the court is committed to democratic consolidation and deepening of respect for the rule of law and human rights in the region.
Justice Asante stated this when he met the Chief Justice of The Gambia, Hassan Jallow to brief him on the preparations for the 2023 international conference of the regional court which opens on Monday, 22nd May 2023 in Banjul, The Gambia.
He used the opportunity to intimate Justice Jallow about the four-day conference, a flagship programme of the Court, with the theme ECOWAS’ zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government policy.
He told the Chief Justiceof The Gambia that “the theme was carefully chosen against the background of the threat to the region’s evolving democracy following recent democratic reversals in the three Member States of Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali where military governments have taken over with the risk that the menace could spread to other parts of the region.”
The President of the Community Court also told his host that the theme would be examined by the presenters, mainly academics, jurists and lawyers, fewer than seven broad sub themes, which would give them an opportunity to assess the dimensions of the policy, the implications of recent political developments and propose measures for addressing the drift.
He said; “We hope the outcome of the conference will help the process of democratic consolidation in the region which will further deepen respect for the rule of law and human rights, both important issues for the judiciary.”
Justice Asante also used the opportunity to thank the Chief Justice of The Gambia, who has agreed to participate in the opening ceremony of the conference, for his contribution to ensure a successful conferenceee.
He expressed the Courts willingness to work with the authorities of the government and the country’s judiciary in resolving the recurring issue of the low rate of enforcement of the decisions of the regional court.
In his response, Justice Jallow commended the Court for its choice of The Gambia to host its 2023 international conference, being the first such conference which will be held in the country.
He assured the visiting ECOWAS Court President of the willingness of The Gambia’s judiciary to contribute towards the success of the conference.
Mercy Chukwidiebere
