The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to hold a bilateral meeting with the Competent National Authority and key stakeholders in Sierra Leone to review the status of enforcement of its judgments in the country.

The engagement, scheduled to take place from 9 to 13 February 2026, forms part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS and is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the regional court and national authorities on the effective implementation of its decisions.

According to the Court, the meeting seeks to establish a structured framework for collaboration, promote the exchange of best practices and address challenges affecting the enforcement of ECOWAS Court judgments at the national level. The initiative is expected to enhance compliance, improve coordination and foster sustainable cooperation between the Court and relevant institutions in Sierra Leone.

The programme will provide a platform for in-depth dialogue between the ECOWAS Court and the Competent National Authority, focusing on improving enforcement procedures, ensuring greater uniformity across jurisdictions and building institutional capacity for effective implementation of judgments. Discussions will also centre on identifying existing constraints to enforcement and developing practical strategies to address them.

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A special forum will be held on the current status of enforcement of ECOWAS Court judgments in Sierra Leone, alongside presentations on the Court’s enforcement mechanisms and perspectives from Government authorities. The programme will also include a bilateral engagement with Civil Society Organisations, as well as deliberations on next steps and future cooperation.

Stakeholder engagement sessions, presentations and discussions throughout the week-long programme are designed to promote inclusive participation, constructive dialogue and shared ownership of solutions aimed at strengthening the enforcement process.

As part of the visit, the ECOWAS Court delegation will pay courtesy calls on senior Government officials, including the Minister of Planning and Development, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone and the Speaker of Parliament. Meetings are also scheduled with the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association.

The delegation will be led by the President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, and includes the Vice President, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, as well as directors and other staff of the Court.

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, was established under Articles 6 and 15 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty. Although the Protocol relating to the Court was adopted in 1991, the pioneer judges were appointed in 2001.

The Court has four core mandates: interpretation and application of ECOWAS legal instruments, adjudication of administrative disputes involving ECOWAS institutions, arbitration and the protection of human rights within the Community.