The ECOWAS Court of Justice and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) made a significant stride on July 12, 2024, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This pivotal moment in their partnership aims to strengthen their collaboration in international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
The MoU, signed at the Court’s headquarters in Abuja, sets the stage for both parties to engage in various collaborative activities such as training sessions, roundtable discussions, and joint conferences. The goal is to enhance their knowledge and expertise in areas of mutual interest.
During the signing ceremony, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, expressed his delight in attending the event. He highlighted the longstanding relationship between the ECOWAS Court and the ICRC, emphasizing the valuable training and support provided by the ICRC in International Humanitarian Law.
Yann Bonzon, Head of Delegation for the ICRC, underscored the historic and fruitful relationship between the ICRC and ECOWAS. He detailed the evolution of their partnership and emphasized the vital role of the ECOWAS Court in upholding International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
The objectives of the MoU were further elaborated by Juliet Kelechi Unubi, emphasizing the mutual benefits of leveraging expertise and facilitating access to expert opinions, publications, and training. The commitment to ongoing IHL training for ECOWAS Court judges and staff was highlighted as a key initiative to enhance their knowledge and interpretation of international human rights law.
The signing ceremony concluded with Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, expressing deep appreciation to all parties involved in finalizing and signing the MoU. The participants were commended for their valuable contributions to the partnership, with gratitude extended to the ICRC for its continuous support.
The signing of this MoU signifies a crucial step towards strengthening collaboration between the ECOWAS Court of Justice and the ICRC in promoting international humanitarian law and human rights law in West Africa. This partnership is expected to enhance the Court’s expertise in applying these laws and addressing humanitarian challenges in the region.
