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Home West Africa Good governance, rule of law fundamental to peace, development in West Africa says Jean-Claude

Good governance, rule of law fundamental to peace, development in West Africa says Jean-Claude

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By Jacob Kubeka –

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Brou, believes the ECOWAS Community Court will aid in the promotion of good governance, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms in West Africa.

Brou made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja at the current International Conference commemorating the court’s 20th anniversary.

He stated that the court must ensure that the region has access to fair, transparent, and credible social justice.

These, he added, were universal principles that would help to the region’s growth and create a culture of peace, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

“During the broad consultations that were conducted in the preparation of this vision, the deep aspirations of the ECOWAS populations were expressed.

“One of the most frequently mentioned is the anchoring of good governance, respect for the rule of law and the fundamental freedoms of citizens in our Community,” he added.

He said that it was essential for the Court to reassure citizens and give them confidence by strengthening rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms.

Brou recalled that the ECOWAS had in 2005 amended its Protocol to strengthen the Community Court and made strong provisions for the execution of its judgments, to give citizens access to justice.

“The Court of Justice thus evolved into a major instrument of regional integration. This Community organ is now better known to the citizens of the region.

“The expansion of its competences from Community Court to Civil Service Tribunal, Court of Human Rights and Court of Arbitration, gives it an almost universal scope of intervention in many areas, as shown by the significant increase in the number of cases handled in recent years,” he said.

The president noted that the protection of human rights remained particularly fundamental, along with the promotion of the rule of law among litigants, especially women and youth.

“It goes without saying that the question of enforcement of the judgments of the Court in the Member States is still relevant.

“The aim is to improve interaction between the Community Court and the national courts of the Member States which remains one of the challenges to strengthening the relevance of the Community Court of Justice,” he added.

He expressed the conviction that recommendations from the conference will make it possible to consolidate the dispensation of law in the region.

Brou said this would ensure a fairer, more equitable and better integrated community, which was needed to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in West Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 24 papers are scheduled to be presented during the five-day conference. 

(NAN)

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