By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone — 29 July 2025 In a landmark event strengthening regional judicial cooperation, Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice and Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda, officially welcomed the President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, and his delegation during their working visit to Freetown.
Hosted by Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Alpha Sesay, the visit marked the first meeting between the President of the ECOWAS Court and the ECOWAS Judicial Council Chairman. Key discussions focused on enhancing judicial collaboration and addressing Sierra Leone’s pending cases before the ECOWAS Court.
Justice Gonçalves lauded Chief Justice Kamanda for his recent appointment as Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, and commended President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on his leadership as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State. He expressed strong commitment to strengthening judicial independence and advancing capacity-building initiatives across member states.
Vice President of the ECOWAS Court, Hon. Justice Sengu Koroma, also emphasized the urgent need for legal training in Sierra Leone, particularly within the Law Officers’ Department. He voiced concern about the country’s representation at the regional court and encouraged initiatives to better prepare Sierra Leonean lawyers for ECOWAS litigation.
Responding, Attorney General Sesay assured the delegation of Sierra Leone’s dedication to resolving its outstanding cases before the ECOWAS Court. He revealed that President Bio would also host the ECOWAS Court President for further justice-sector discussions in his role as ECOWAS Chairman.
Chief Justice Kamanda welcomed the delegation with gratitude, acknowledging the significance of their visit and the challenges faced in past regional legal proceedings. He pledged to improve Sierra Leone’s legal representation and vowed to uphold judicial collaboration across ECOWAS. His commitment to reform aims to elevate the ECOWAS Court into a globally respected institution.
The visit concluded with introductions of Sierra Leonean judicial leaders, including Hon. Justice Emmanuel Eku Roberts, Vice President of the Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Association in West Africa. Further engagements with the ECOWAS delegation are expected throughout their stay.