ECOWAS court urges journalists to pressure govts on judgment compliance

The President of the Community Court of Justice for the Economic Community of West African States, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, has called on journalists across member states to leverage their platforms to encourage governments to comply with the court's judgments. Gonçalves, represented by Vice President Justice Sengu Koroma, made this appeal during the opening ceremony of a three-day training program for journalists covering the ECOWAS Court.

He emphasized the crucial role journalists play in promoting awareness of the court's decisions and ensuring member states fulfill their treaty obligations. Gonçalves highlighted that while enforcing court judgments lies with the member states, compliance has been insufficient. He stressed the importance of accurate and responsible reporting, noting that a lack of understanding of the court's mandate and procedures has led to gaps in media coverage.

The Community Court of Justice serves as the principal judicial organ of ECOWAS, responsible for interpreting and applying regional legal instruments, promoting the rule of law, and safeguarding human rights. Gonçalves urged journalists to distinguish between parties' submissions and the court's findings and decisions, emphasizing the need for unbiased, factual reporting.

The three-day training, attended by journalists from ECOWAS member states, aims to enhance journalists' understanding of the court's processes, improve the quality and accuracy of their reports, and foster a network of specialists in judicial reporting.