Abuja: The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS and the African Union (AU)'s Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM) has held a high-level benchmarking meeting at the Seat of the Court in Abuja, Nigeria, focused on knowledge exchange and institutional collaboration.
According to Ghana News Agency, the meeting provided a strategic platform for information sharing, particularly in the area of arbitration-one of the key mandates of the ECOWAS Court as articulated under Article 9(5) of the Protocol on the Court (as amended). This article states that pending the establishment of the Arbitration Tribunal, the Court shall have power to act as arbitrator.
Discussions during the session covered the potential development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions. The Court and DSM also explored opportunities for joint initiatives, including capacity-building programmes, knowledge-sharing engagements, and the potential for case referrals. These initiatives would be subject to the approval of the Court's Rules of Arbitration by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
In an overview presentation on the Court, Mr Gaye Sowe, Acting Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, highlighted the jurisdiction granted to the Court under Article 9(6) of the Protocol. This empowers the Court to hear matters where an agreement between two Parties includes a clause referring disputes to it. He also shared insights on the Court's Electronic Case Management System (ECMS) that facilitates the digitalisation of its judicial and administrative processes.
Dr Paul-Antoine Marie Ganemtore, Head of Secretariat of the DSM, underlined the DSM's mandate, functions, and operational scope in his presentation. He highlighted the DSM's competence in conciliation, mediation, and arbitration, noting its establishment under Article 8 of the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision for resolving disputes in Africa's air transport industry.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar of the Court, reaffirmed the Court's readiness to collaborate with DSM in strengthening mechanisms for peaceful dispute resolution. The meeting saw participation from senior officers of DSM and key staff members of the ECOWAS Court, demonstrating a shared commitment to institutional synergy and the advancement of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms within the ECOWAS region and Africa.
