In 50 Years, ECOWAS Have Never Had It This Bad With Departing Three Member Countries- ECOWAS Court President
Michael Olugbode in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

The President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has lamented the situation the regional bloc is presenting facing, stating that the body which is celebrating its 50th anniversary has never had it this bad.

Speaking at the sent-forth ceremony for four of the Court staff, Dr Athanase Atannon, Dr William Towah, Mr Félicien Hounkanrin and Mr Iliyas Jonah on Wednesday in Abuja, the president of ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, said: “The path may not be easy, first of all, due to the particularly difficult situation that our Community is going through. In fact, in almost fifty years of its existence, for the first time, the ECOWAS Community is faced, at one stroke, with the departure of three countries, with all the consequences that may result: on a social level, on a financial level and on the level of security in our sub-region.”

He added that: “However, we believe that our political decision-makers will know how to take advantage of this moment to carry out a profound reflection on the path taken and what is intended for our Community in the next fifty years.

“This reflection will have to be plural, open, inclusive, participatory and its success will depend largely on the involvement of civil society in our countries.

“The path will still have challenges to be overcome [now focusing specifically on our Institution], if we consider that we will soon announce the recruitment competition for new employees.

“For this phase that is about to begin, it is our Institution’s duty to firmly commit to excellence, rigor, and individual merit. This attitude can conflict with heightened passions, personal commitments, parallel agendas, all of which are feelings and attitudes that we must tenaciously combat.”

On the challenges faced by the Court, the president said: “The problem of implementing our decisions has been highlighted as one of the greatest challenges facing our Institution. We fully agree and, along with this, we could also add the challenge of operationalizing the Court’s arbitration jurisdiction (mandate as an Arbitration Tribunal); the use of the prejudicial referral mechanism (legal advisory jurisdiction); the creation of a legal aid fund, just to name a few.”

He admitted that: “There is, however, a challenge that must be overcome as quickly as possible by the staff of this house, as this challenge appears to us to be crucial. This is the challenge of improvement and awareness on the part of our human resources.

“In an international institution like ours, professionalism, commitment and unreserved dedication, proactivity, knowledge of the profession, firm commitment to professional ethics and deontology and, above all, knowledge of the role that each person is assigned within our Institution, are crucial points that must be worked on. For some, more than others this is true, but these are certainly aspects that all employees should consider.

“This challenge falls to the staff because you are the continuity, the sap that gives life and guarantees the longevity of this Institution. We (The Court) will soon complete twenty-four years of existence. If our Institution is recognized internationally today, this is also largely due to its performance.

“But this cannot be interpreted as the end of the goal. Quite the opposite. Today, more than ever, you are all called to deeply reflect on crucial aspects of the collective existence of the Court, such as full dedication, disinterested analysis and advice, unreserved adherence to the objectives set by management, commitment to truth, rigor, honesty and respect for one another.”

On the retiring staff, he said: “They certainly had moments of uncertainty, frustration, misunderstanding and perhaps even anger. However, it could not be otherwise and there can be no surprises about it. In fact, we were warned well, at the beginning of our civilization, that in life we would face tribulations and that it could not be any different. We were given hope, however: in the end we would win, because we would never be alone.

“We are convinced that these were years of hard work, challenges overcame, valuable contributions and many shared moments, as they were “never alone”.

“Each of you leaves an indelible mark on this institution, both through your professional results and, above all, through the way you have left an impact on the people around you. Your wisdom and patience will continue to guide and inspire your colleagues. Your example and spirit of dedication will surely be a source of inspiration for many of us.”

A goodwill message read by a representative of the staff, Mr Ghislain Agbozo said: “We hope that this new chapter unfolding in each of your lives will be filled with opportunities for growth, fulfillment, and well-deserved rest. We wish you good health, so that you may enjoy your retirement pensions for many years to come, in peace and happiness. You will remain forever in our hearts and in our most vivid memories. We look forward to seeing you again—whether here in Nigeria, in Benin, Liberia, or wherever life may take you. This is not a goodbye; it is a fond farewell.”

One of the retiring staff, Mr Félicien Hounkanrin in an interview with journalists, thanked the ECOWAS Court management and staff for the elaborate celebration, stating that this has shown that the organisation is indeed a great family.

He said he would be going into his new facet of life with pride and with the feeling of having a family and friends in ECOWAS Court.

In 50 Years, ECOWAS Have Never Had It This Bad With Departing Three Member Countries- ECOWAS Court President
Michael Olugbode in Abuja