ECOWAS Court moves to deepen public awareness with sensitisation mission in Gambia

By Innocent Anaba

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has launched a five-day sensitisation mission in Banjul, as part of renewed efforts to boost awareness of its mandate and strengthen engagement with citizens across the West African sub-region.

The outreach programme, which runs from April 21 to 25, 2026, forms part of the Court’s annual initiative aimed at educating stakeholders on its jurisdiction, procedures, and access to justice, while also enhancing its visibility among member states.

Officials of the Court explained that the sensitisation mission provides a platform for citizens to better understand the institution, described as a community-owned judicial body, and to appreciate its role in interpreting Community laws, adjudicating disputes and addressing cases of human rights violations within member states.

According to the Court, increased awareness is expected to encourage individuals and organisations to take advantage of its processes, particularly in seeking redress on issues relating to human rights and the rule of law.

The programme commenced with a courtesy visit to the President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, alongside meetings with other top government officials, marking the formal start of the mission.
As part of scheduled activities, a major town hall meeting involving a broad range of stakeholders will take place on April 22 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. The forum is expected to provide an interactive platform for discussions on the Court’s operations, jurisprudence, and impact on citizens within the region.

Further engagements include a special forum dedicated to lawyers and law students on April 23, where participants will be exposed to the Court’s procedures, case management system, and practical approaches to litigation before the regional court.

In addition, a judicial dialogue is slated for April 24, bringing together judges from The Gambia’s judiciary and their counterparts from the ECOWAS Court. The dialogue is expected to foster collaboration, promote judicial exchange and strengthen the administration of justice within the region.

Media engagements, including interviews and appearances across various broadcast platforms, have also been lined up throughout the duration of the mission to ensure wider dissemination of information to the public.

Participants in the sensitisation exercise include judges, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, lawyers, academics, civil society organisations, human rights advocates, interest groups, students, development partners and the general public.

The Court noted that similar outreach missions have been successfully conducted in several member states, including Benin, Cabo Verde, Togo, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Liberia, as well as in Nigerian cities such as Lagos and Ibadan.

Established as the principal judicial organ of the Economic Community of West African States, the Court has continued to play a pivotal role in promoting justice, strengthening the rule of law and advancing regional integration.

Over the years, the Court has delivered landmark judgments that have shaped human rights jurisprudence in the region, reinforcing accountability among member states and offering citizens an alternative avenue for justice beyond domestic courts.

Observers say the ongoing mission in The Gambia is expected to further consolidate these gains by bridging the gap between the Court and the people it serves, while fostering a deeper understanding of its role in ensuring justice and equity across West Africa.

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