By: Julius Konton
Liberia has been praised for its exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to regional justice as the country formally welcomed a high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Court of Justice for a week-long outreach and legal clinic, running from November 10–16, 2025.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti received the delegation led by Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, during an official ceremony held on Tuesday in Monrovia.
In her opening remarks, Minister Nyanti reaffirmed Liberia’s dedication to the Economic Community of West African States and to strengthening the rule of law within the regional bloc.
“Liberia is blessed to be a member of this Community, and we do not take the matters of ECOWAS lightly,” she said. “As a founding member, we remain committed to multilateralism and the collective work that strengthens our regional family.”
Minister Nyanti proudly announced that Liberia is currently the only ECOWAS Member State to have ratified all three foundational protocols establishing and strengthening the ECOWAS Court of Justice , the 1991, 2005, and 2007 protocols.
“This is a source of pride for Liberia,” she noted. “These are the narratives we must amplify to showcase our nation’s commitment to democracy, justice, and human rights.”
She stressed the importance of improving enforcement of ECOWAS Court judgments at the national level and called for deeper collaboration among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary to ensure compliance.
Minister Nyanti also drew attention to Liberia’s groundbreaking step in adopting a feminist foreign policy, making it the first African nation to formally embrace a gender-responsive approach to diplomacy and governance.
“The role of Liberian women in peacebuilding and governance is historic,” she stated. “We welcome the Court’s focus on women’s rights as part of this outreach program.”
In response, ECOWAS Court President Gonçalves expressed gratitude for Liberia’s hospitality and commended the country’s leadership in advancing regional justice and integration.
“Liberia stands out as the only country to have ratified all the Court’s protocols,” he said. “We also have data confirming Liberia’s strong record in enforcing ECOWAS decisions. We are encouraged and deeply appreciative of this leadership.”
He described Liberia as a model Member State and emphasized that the Court’s outreach mission seeks to increase public awareness on its mandate, particularly its growing jurisdiction over human rights cases.
As part of ECOWAS’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the outreach includes:
Technical legal clinics
Judicial dialogues
Media and civil society engagements
A special forum for lawyers and law students at the University of Liberia (November 13)
Legal clinic sessions at the Ministerial Complex (November 14–15)
The initiative targets lawyers, judges, law students, civil society organizations, government officials, and the wider public.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice, created under Articles 6 and 15 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, has four primary mandates:
- Interpretation of ECOWAS legal instruments
- Adjudication of disputes involving ECOWAS institutions
- Arbitration of regional matters
- Protection of human rights
Minister Nyanti connected the visit to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, stating that the rule of law and accountability are central to Liberia’s national transformation.
“Under President Boakai’s leadership, Liberia is committed to advancing justice, inclusion, and regional cooperation,” she emphasized.
“We are ready to contribute meaningfully to the ECOWAS Court and to benefit from its structure in adjudicating issues relevant to our nation and our people.”
Liberia’s hosting of the ECOWAS Court marks a defining moment in its journey toward strengthening democratic governance, regional cooperation, and equitable justice.
