A high-level delegation of the ECOWAS Court arrives in Freetown on Sunday, 14th April 2024 for talks with senior officials of the government of Sierra Leone and the country’s Bar Association on preparations for the 2024 conference of the Court to be hosted by the country.

“We expect to meet with several officials to set up a framework for collaboration towards the success of the conference,” the President of the Court, Honorable Justice Edward Amoako Asante, who is leading the 12-member delegation said ahead of the five-day visit.

“The international conference is a flagship program of the Court and the fact that President Julius Maada Bio has graciously agreed to receive the delegation on the second working day of the visit means that the hosting of the conference enjoys the highest level of endorsement in the country, “the President said.

During the visit, the delegation is also expected to meet with the country’s Chief Justice, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Officials from the judiciary, the Bar Association, and members of the local organizing committee for the conference, the first to be hosted by the country.

Justice Asante said that the visit will also allow the delegation to review the facilities at the Freetown International Conference Centre, the venue for the four-day conference to be held between 13th and 16th May 2024 as well as conclude arrangements for the various aspects of the hybrid conference.

Also on the delegation are Justice Sengu M. Koroma, a judge of the Court from Sierra Leone, the Court’s Chief Registrar, and other staff of the Court.

The annual conference of the Court brings together experts from the region to discuss a subject of contemporary relevance to the Community. The 2024 four-day conference is on the theme, “Enhancing the role, relevance, and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the strengthening of synergies between the Court and national stakeholders”.

The President explained that the annual conferences provide platforms for the Court to explore important legal themes with judges from national and regional courts, legal scholars, members of the bar associations of Member States, and other stakeholders.

In addition, he said it affords the officials of the Court valuable opportunity to engage with important stakeholders from the Member States to strengthen fraternal relations.

Justice Asante said that the 2024 conference is intended to generate constructive discussions around the strengths and weaknesses of the Court’s relationship with various national stakeholders and propose practical solutions for the enhancement of the role, relevance, and effectiveness of the Court.