The grounds of the Temple of Justice in Monrovia became the epicenter of regional judicial reflection on Thursday as senior members of the Liberian Judiciary, led by the Supreme Court, welcomed the President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and his high-level delegation for an important dialogue on strengthening justice delivery within West Africa.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay expressed profound appreciation for the ECOWAS Court’s visit, describing the engagement as “crucial for broadening the understanding of the Liberian people, fostering cooperation, and strengthening our collective pursuit of justice.”
He praised the ECOWAS Court’s role in safeguarding human rights, upholding the rule of law, and advancing regional integration.
“Your presence here underscores our shared commitment to justice,” he said. “We trust that your interactions with Liberia’s judges, magistrates, lawyers, and other stakeholders will yield fruitful discussions and enhance our collective capacity to address the legal challenges facing the region.”
For his part, ECOWAS Court President, Justice Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Goncalves Calls for Stronger Judicial Collaboration.
Addressing the gathering, the President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice described it as a “singular honor and privilege” to speak before an assembly of “judges, jurists, consultants, guardians of constitutional order, and custodians of the rule of law.”
He emphasized that the ECOWAS Court holds national judicial institutions in the highest regard, noting that the regional legal order rests heavily on the strength and independence of national judiciaries across West Africa.
“The exchange we are having today is not a courtesy,” he stressed. “It is a necessity-an opportunity to deepen dialogue between the ECOWAS Court and the judiciaries of our member states.”
The ECOWAS Court President rejected the notion of rivalry between national courts and the regional court, stating instead that the two are “justice partners-two complementary levels of a single legal order” drawing legitimacy from member states and their citizens.
National Courts as First Line of Defense
The President underlined that national courts play the primary role in protecting human rights and ensuring the enforcement of the rule of law. When national courts courageously uphold fundamental rights, he noted, they not only protect victims but also shield their states from international litigation.
“Protection of rights at the domestic level constitutes a preventive measure that safeguards the state’s reputation,” he said. “National courts can proudly affirm that in protecting human rights, they also preserve their states from the consequences of regional judicial scrutiny.”
He reaffirmed that the ECOWAS Court does not compete with national judiciaries but complements them in a “virtuous circle of accountability and protection.”
Call for Practical Cooperation
The ECOWAS Court President highlighted several avenues for strengthening cooperation, including:
Regular judicial dialogues and conferences
Joint training workshops on regional human rights law and case management
Shared legal databases for jurisprudence
Clear mechanisms for transmitting and enforcing ECOWAS Court judgments
Short-term judicial exchanges and observation programs
“These initiatives,” he said, “will consolidate a regional judicial community that speaks with one coherent voice on matters of justice, rights, and integration.”
A Shared Mission for West Africa
Concluding his remarks, the ECOWAS Court President reaffirmed the unity between the regional and national courts.
“We are united by a common heritage and a common mission,” he declared. “By supporting one another, we ensure that justice at the national level resonates at the regional level-and that the rule of law becomes a living reality throughout West Africa.”
The event marks a significant step toward deeper judicial cooperation within the ECOWAS region, with both Liberian and regional authorities expressing optimism for continued collaboration.
