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Sierra Leone has fully enforced just one judgment issued against it by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, exposing persistent compliance problems within the regional bloc, the Court’s President has disclosed.
Honourable Justice Ricardo C. M. Gonçalves made the remarks during a bilateral meeting in Freetown to mark ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary. He said that of eighteen cases decided against Sierra Leone, eleven remain unenforced and six were dismissed.
“While the enforcement of one judgment demonstrates that compliance is possible, the existence of numerous unenforced decisions underscores the urgent need for sustained engagement and collaboration,” Justice Gonçalves said.
ECOWAS Court rulings are final and binding on member states under the bloc’s treaty. Non-compliance weakens judicial authority and risks undermining investor confidence in regional dispute resolution, officials say.
Justice Gonçalves stressed that enforcement is “not optional but a legal obligation essential to the rule of law, justice, and regional integration.” He said the single enforced ruling shows that political will and administrative coordination are key, while delays in other cases erode public trust in justice systems.
In Sierra Leone, enforcement typically involves transmitting rulings to the Attorney-General’s office and Ministry of Justice, which coordinate with courts and government agencies. Cases requiring financial compensation often depend on budget allocations and inter-ministerial cooperation.
Justice Gonçalves identified weak institutional coordination, unclear timelines, administrative bottlenecks and political sensitivities as major barriers to enforcement. Some rulings involve multiple agencies, which adds complexity.
The Freetown meeting brought together government officials, judges, civil society groups and lawyers. Discussions focused on replicating the conditions that led to the one successful enforcement.
Justice Gonçalves said timely compliance is essential to strengthening the ECOWAS Court and member states’ commitment to regional human rights standards. He said the Court stands ready to provide technical support to improve enforcement.
“As ECOWAS marks fifty years of existence, this meeting should serve as a renewed call to action for Member States to translate judicial decisions into real outcomes for citizens,” he said.
