The Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatto, on Wednesday welcomed the ECOWAS Court of Justice Sensitization Mission to the country, describing it as an important step towards bringing regional justice closer to the people.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, the Speaker said the mission would help raise public awareness about the Court’s mandate, clarify its jurisdiction, and outline the procedures for accessing justice at the regional level. He noted that the initiative was timely, particularly as many citizens still view the ECOWAS Court as a distant institution.
In his remarks, the Speaker described the ECOWAS Court of Justice as one of the most important institutions in the regional integration process, especially following the expansion of its jurisdiction in 2005 to include human rights protection. He said the Court has since become an important platform for upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of individuals across the ECOWAS region.
He stressed, however, that the relevance of any judicial institution depends not only on its existence, but also on public awareness and accessibility. He said the sensitization mission was therefore necessary to help citizens better understand the Court’s role and how they can seek redress through its processes.
Speaker Jatta further underscored the role of national legislatures in supporting the regional judicial system, noting that parliaments are responsible for domesticating regional protocols and ensuring that such instruments have a real impact on the lives of citizens. He said the National Assembly of The Gambia remains committed to promoting the rule of law and strengthening the legal framework needed to support regional integration.
He also acknowledged challenges surrounding the enforcement of the Court’s judgments, saying the mission offered an opportunity for national institutions to reflect on their obligations and improve compliance mechanisms so that justice delivered at the regional level can be effectively realised at home.
