The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, met with the Chief Justice of The Gambia, Honorable Hassan B. Jallow, to brief him on the preparations for the upcoming international conference of the regional court in 2023.
The conference, a flagship program of the Court, will commence on Monday, May 22, 2023, in Banjul, The Gambia.
During the meeting, Justice Asante provided further details about the four-day conference, which will focus on ECOWAS' zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government.
He explained that the theme was selected in light of recent democratic reversals in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, where military governments have taken control, posing a risk of contagion to other parts of the region.
The President informed the Chief Justice that the conference would feature presentations from academics, jurists, and lawyers, who would explore the theme under seven sub-themes, analyzing the policy dimensions, and implications of recent political developments, and proposing measures to address the situation.
Justice Asante expressed his hope that the conference's outcomes would contribute to the democratic consolidation in the region, fostering respect for the rule of law and human rights, which are crucial issues for the judiciary.
He also expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice for agreeing to participate in the opening ceremony and the conference, acknowledging his contribution to ensuring a successful event. Additionally, the President emphasized the Court's willingness to collaborate with the government authorities and the country's judiciary to address the persistent issue of low enforcement rates of the Court's decisions.
In response, Justice Jallow commended the ECOWAS Court for selecting The Gambia as the host country for its 2023 international conference, marking the first time such an event will be held in the country.
The Chief Justice assured the visiting President of the ECOWAS Court of the full commitment of The Gambia's judiciary to contribute to the success of the conference.
