The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it is contemplating the imposition of sanctions, including suspension of member countries that disobey the rulings of the Community Court of Justice.
The measure, says the regional body, is due to the fact that disobeying the ruling of the community court was against the dictates of the “Community Texts” and that it also amounts to the interruption of democratic processes.
A court judge, Judge Dupe Atoki, told the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) in Lomé, Republic of Togo, on Thursday that the need for sanctions had become necessary in view of the impunity for disobedience by part of the states.
Atoke, who moderated a session on sanctions for dissident member states at the International Conference to mark the court’s 20th anniversary, explained that the actions of some member states were capable of undermining the court’s authority.
It pointed out that, although the sanction provision for violation of the court order was still vague, the fact that it was in itself a violation of the Community texts makes the sanctions on the texts applicable.
“The sanctions are vague and that is where the problem is because the protocol has not really gotten to be precise about what sanctions can be imposed on member states that do not respect the decisions of the court.
“But there is a general provision for sanctions to be imposed on members who do not fulfill their obligations as indicated in the Community texts.
“To that end, we believe that the implementation of the court’s ruling is within that context.
“The first obligation of the member states is to respect and promote human rights.
“So, when the court was created to promote this right, it follows that if it does not comply with the court’s decision, it has breached its obligation to comply with the provisions of the community texts and there are sanctions in that regard. ,” she said.
Atoki further explained that also among the obligations of the member states was compliance with the democratic process.
“This is why you find that any attempt to derail the democratic process faces sanctions.
“This has led to the situation in Mali and Guinea. That is one of the obligations listed alongside the protection of human rights.
“So, we can, from our own, deduce that the lack of implementation of the court’s decision is also a violation of compliance with the obligation of the texts that attract sanctions that can include suspension,” he said.
ECOWAS resolves to maintain sanctions against Mali and Guinea
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