The President of the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, Hon Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves on Monday 10 February 2026 underscored the importance of effective enforcement of the Court’s judgments as a fundamental element of the rule of law, justice, and regional integration.

Delivering the opening address at the Bilateral Meeting on the Status of Enforcement of the Judgments of the Court in Sierra Leone, Justice Gonçalves said that the meeting provided a platform for engagement between the Court and national authorities of Sierra Leone to review progress, identify challenges, and consider practical measures to strengthen compliance with the Court’s judgments.

“This bilateral meeting therefore serves as a critical forum for discussing practical solutions and collaborative strategies. Our aim is to develop a framework that facilitates regular communication between the ECOWAS Court and relevant national authorities, clarifies responsibilities, and establishes timelines for enforcement.”

“As an independent judicial institution, the Court remains committed to ensuring that all Member States comply with its decisions which are binding under the ECOWAS Treaty”, Justice Gonçalves said, adding that “each decision rendered by the ECOWAS Court represents a commitment to equity, accountability, and the protection of citizen’s rights, and it is incumbent on all national authorities to implement these decisions.”

Statistics revealed that the Court from inception delivered eighteen judgments in respect of the Republic of Sierra Leone, of which one has been enforced, six dismissed, and eleven remain unenforced. These figures indicate an ‘urgent need for sustained engagement and collaboration to ensure that the Court’s legal mandates are fulfilled,’ he added. Justice Gonçalves expressed his optimism that the meeting will lead to enhanced coordination, clearer implementation procedures, and strengthened national enforcement mechanisms.

In his keynote address, the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone, Alpha Sesay reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s ‘commitment to constructive engagement, shared responsibility and practical solutions that will enhance the credibility of the Court and deepen regional integration for the benefit of the people’. He proposed some points for consideration including strengthening internal coordination, enhancing bilateral engagement, budgetary planning, sustaining political commitment as well as compliance monitoring and technical support by the ECOWAS to Member States to facilitate enforcement.

In an earlier welcome address, the Chief Registrar of the Court, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama acknowledged the presence and commitment of key stakeholders participating in the meeting. “Justice does not end with the delivery of a judgment, rather, justice is fully realized only when judgments are effectively enforced and their outcomes are made tangible for the beneficiaries and for the Community”, Dr Ouro-Sama stated. He highlighted the rich jurisprudence of the Court.  

He cited Article 24 of the Supplementary Act of 14 December 2025 relating to the Court which established ‘the binding and final nature of judgments of the ECOWAS Court’ and mandated Member States to enforce them in accordance with their national rule of civil procedure without seeking any further validation. The meeting holding in Freetown, Sierra Leone from 9 to 13 February 2026 brings together national authorities of Sierra Leone, legal practitioners, civil society organisations, and the delegation from the ECOWAS Court led by the Honourable President, Hon Justice Ricardo C.M. Gonçalves, and comprised the Honourable Vice President, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, directors and key staff of the Court. The meeting was convened within the framework of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.