By Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr.
COTONOU, Benin – The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened the Second Meeting of Competent National Authorities (CNAs) in Cotonou, Benin, as part of a renewed drive to improve the enforcement of its judgments across member states.
The three-day meeting, running from June 17 to 19, 2026, is being held under the theme, “From Commitment to Framework: Operationalizing a Collaborative Architecture for the Enforcement of ECOWAS Court Judgments.”
The gathering brings together designated Competent National Authorities from ECOWAS member states, representatives of the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament, legal experts, and senior officials of the regional court to advance mechanisms aimed at ensuring greater compliance with judicial decisions.
According to the Court, the meeting builds upon recommendations adopted during the inaugural CNA meeting held in Lagos, Nigeria, in June 2025. Those recommendations focused on strengthening compliance with court judgments, enhancing institutional capacity, harmonizing enforcement procedures, and fostering closer collaboration among national authorities responsible for implementing court decisions.
A key feature of the Cotonou meeting is the presentation and proposed adoption of a Collaborative Framework for the Enforcement of ECOWAS Court Judgments. Developed through consultations with member states and national authorities, the framework seeks to establish a structured and operational system for coordinated enforcement efforts throughout the region.
The proposed framework clearly outlines institutional responsibilities, communication channels, accountability measures, and monitoring mechanisms designed to improve the execution of court rulings.
Participants are also reviewing progress made since the 2025 meeting, assessing annual enforcement reports submitted by member states, and examining persistent challenges affecting compliance—particularly in human rights cases. Discussions are expected to identify practical solutions to strengthen adherence to judgments and improve overall enforcement outcomes.
The meeting further aims to deepen cooperation among the ECOWAS Court, Competent National Authorities, the ECOWAS Commission, and the ECOWAS Parliament in establishing a more robust regional compliance mechanism.
Another significant objective is the formalization of a structured CNA platform that will facilitate cooperation, peer learning, information sharing, and mutual accountability among national enforcement bodies. Countries yet to designate their Competent National Authorities are being encouraged to do so to ensure the full implementation of the regional enforcement framework.
At the conclusion of the meeting, delegates are expected to adopt the Collaborative Framework, agree on timelines and modalities for its implementation, refine annual reporting procedures, strengthen multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms, and issue a final communiqué outlining priority actions and collective commitments aimed at improving compliance with ECOWAS Court judgments.
The ECOWAS Court described the second meeting as a major step in its efforts to transform regional commitments into concrete action, emphasizing that a stronger enforcement architecture is essential to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens across the ECOWAS community.