The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will convene a bilateral meeting with the Competent National Authority (CNA) and other key stakeholders in the Republic of Sierra Leone to review the status of enforcement of its judgments.
The meeting, scheduled for 9–13 February 2026, is part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.
According to the Court, the engagement aims to strengthen cooperation between the ECOWAS Court and national authorities through the establishment of a structured framework for collaboration, exchange of best practices and the resolution of challenges hindering the effective enforcement of Court judgments.
The forum will provide an opportunity for in-depth dialogue between the Court and CNAs, with a focus on improving compliance with ECOWAS Court judgments, promoting uniform enforcement procedures across member states, building capacity for effective enforcement, identifying systemic challenges and fostering a sustainable collaborative network between the Court and national authorities.
Discussions are expected to centre on developing practical strategies to enhance enforcement rates, deepen mutual understanding of existing constraints and promote long-term cooperation between the Court and relevant national institutions.
The programme will feature a special forum on the status of enforcement of ECOWAS Court judgments, an overview of the Court’s enforcement mechanisms, presentations on the enforcement landscape from a government perspective, a bilateral session with civil society organisations, as well as deliberations on next steps and future engagements.
These sessions are designed to encourage inclusive participation and constructive stakeholder engagement.
Activities will commence with courtesy visits to senior government officials, including the Minister of Planning and Development, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, and the Speaker of Parliament.
The delegation will also visit the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association.
The ECOWAS Court delegation will be led by its President, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, and includes Vice President, Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, alongside directors and other staff of the Court.
Written by Wahab Akinlade
Source: ECOWAS Court to Hold Bilateral Meeting on Judgment Enforcement in Sierra Leone – Radio Nigeria Lagos