ECOWAS Ministers of Justice have concluded a two-day meeting in Banjul to validate the Harmonised Protocol and the Arbitration Rules of the Community Court of Justice, two critical legal instruments aimed at strengthening the Court’s mandate.
The meeting, held from August 29–30, was convened by the ECOWAS Commission and hosted by the Government of The Gambia, following a four-day review session by regional legal experts.
Once validated, the instruments will be submitted to the Authority of Heads of State and Government for adoption.
According to officials, the Harmonised Protocol consolidates years of fragmented amendments into a single text defining the Court’s composition, jurisdiction, procedures, and enforcement mechanisms. The Arbitration Rules, meanwhile, introduce a regional framework for resolving commercial and investment disputes, enhancing legal certainty and investor confidence across West Africa.
Vice President of The Gambia, H.E. Muhammed B.S. Jallow, described the reforms as a “historic milestone,” highlighting their potential to align with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by boosting regional economic integration.
H.E. Alpha Sesay, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone, emphasized that the Court remains “a beacon of justice” and that the updated instruments would expand access to justice, strengthen human rights protection, and promote peaceful dispute resolution.
In his keynote address, H.E. Dawda A. Jallow, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia, said the measures will equip the Court with arbitration tools comparable to international standards and position it as a continental hub for arbitration.
Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, President of the ECOWAS Court, noted that the Harmonised Protocol reflects over two decades of judicial practice and ensures consistency with the Revised ECOWAS Treaty. He stressed that the adoption of the instruments would reinforce the Court’s effectiveness and credibility.
Miatta Lily French, ECOWAS Resident Representative to The Gambia, commended the initiative for making the Court’s work less cumbersome and improving its efficiency.
The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to regional integration and the rule of law, noting that the instruments will enhance the Court’s ability to safeguard human rights, deliver justice and support economic growth across the sub-region.
