The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to address poor compliance with its Court of Justice as it convenes the Second Meeting of Competent National Authorities (CNAs) in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, today. This three-day gathering aims to strengthen the enforcement of court rulings across member states.
Meeting Theme and Participants
Themed 'From Commitment to Framework: Operationalising a Collaborative Architecture for the Enforcement of ECOWAS Court Judgments,' the meeting will bring together designated CNAs from member states, representatives of the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament, legal experts, and senior court officials. The court stated that the meeting seeks to deepen cooperation among stakeholders and develop practical mechanisms to improve compliance with its judgments.
Building on Previous Efforts
This meeting follows the inaugural gathering of CNAs held in Lagos in June 2025, where participants adopted recommendations to enhance compliance, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote collaboration among national enforcement authorities. A key highlight will be the presentation and adoption of a Collaborative Framework for the Enforcement of ECOWAS Court Judgments. This framework, developed after consultations with member states, aims to provide a structured mechanism for coordinated enforcement actions by defining institutional responsibilities, communication channels, accountability measures, and monitoring processes.
Participants will review progress since the inaugural meeting and assess annual enforcement reports submitted by member states. They will also examine challenges affecting compliance, particularly in human rights cases, and identify practical solutions. The meeting will formalise a structured platform for cooperation among CNAs to facilitate peer learning, information sharing, and mutual accountability.
Energy Challenges in the Region
In a related development, ECOWAS highlighted the sub-region's inadequate electricity supply, which sharply contrasts with its vast natural resources. ECOWAS Acting Head of Conventional Energy, Koumoin Arbaduis, spoke at the ECOWAS Parliament’s Delocalised Joint Committee Meeting in Dakar, Senegal. The five-day event, themed 'Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of ECOWAS Parliament,' began on Monday.
Arbaduis noted that West Africa continues to struggle with insufficient electricity, low access rates, and high transmission costs, despite possessing abundant energy resources such as crude oil, natural gas, biomass, uranium, coal, and an estimated 25,000 megawatts of hydroelectric potential. He vowed to ensure reliable and sustainable energy for the region.
