ECOWAS member states ignore rulings, judgements of Community Court

Even though the Economic Commission for West African States (ECOWAS) has established a community court to sit on matters within the sub-region, member states do not abide by the court’s ruling.

The situation has compelled the Community Court to express concern over the conduct of the countries.

Chairman of the Court Her Lordship, Justice Awa Nana Daboya, has told a regional civil society forum in Abuja, Nigeria July 30, 2012 that non- implementation of the Court’s decision is a violation of member states’ obligation under the ECOWAS treaty.

In a press statement issued by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the NGO noted that the ECOWAS Court is one of the major regional human rights mechanisms in the region, however, its effectiveness has been weakened by challenges over implementation of its judgements by offending member states.

The president therefore advocated financial sanctions against member states that refused to comply with its judgments, the statement noted.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi