Senegal Minister Sarr: Outlines CEDEAO Court of Justice Innovation Strategy

• Senegal's Minister of Justice, Me Moussa Sarr, called for an innovation strategy for the CEDEAO Court of Justice at its International Conference 2026 in Dakar on September 21.
• The strategy emphasizes digital transformation, including dematerialization of procedures, virtual hearings, and regulated use of AI, to improve access and efficiency.
• Me Sarr cautioned that AI must support, not replace, judicial independence and fair trial guarantees.
• The Minister also highlighted the critical need for strengthened dialogue between national and community jurisdictions to ensure consistent application of community law.
• Senegal, currently holding key ECOWAS leadership roles, pledged continued support for the Court and regional judicial cooperation.

While AI in ECOWAS justice can support judicial work, aiding in analysis and managing certain tasks, it must not supplant a judge's independent judgment, undermine their autonomy, or inadvertently create new forms of exclusion.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice is poised for a significant transformation, with a strong call for an innovation strategy to adapt its practices to the region's evolving institutional, technological, and social landscapes. This imperative was articulated by Senegal's Minister of Justice, Me Moussa Sarr, during his address at the community jurisdiction's International Conference 2026, which convened on September 21 in Dakar under the theme: "The Court of Justice at a Crossroads: Justice, Innovation, Protection of Human Rights and the Future of Integration."

Me Sarr underscored the critical juncture this meeting represents for the future of West African integration. He highlighted Senegal's prominent position within ECOWAS, noting that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye chairs the Conference of Heads of State and Government, while General Birame Diop leads the organization's Commission. In his ECOWAS speech, the Minister emphasized the Court's pivotal role in upholding democracy, the rule of law, and safeguarding fundamental freedoms. He specifically drew attention to the unique provision allowing individuals to directly petition the community court when they believe their fundamental rights have been violated, a mechanism that brings community justice closer to citizens and gives tangible effect to regional principles. This direct access for litigants places an added responsibility on the CEDEAO Court of Justice, demanding a more accessible, efficient, and diligent judicial process.

A cornerstone of the proposed CEDEAO Court of Justice innovation strategy is comprehensive digital transformation. Minister Sarr identified several key areas for modernization, including the dematerialization of procedures, the upgrading of operational tools, the increased use of virtual hearings, and the carefully regulated integration of artificial intelligence (AI). These measures are intended to enhance the Court's operational efficiency and significantly improve access to its services for all litigants.

However, Me Sarr cautioned against unbridled innovation, stressing that technological advancements must never compromise the fundamental guarantees of a fair trial. While AI in ECOWAS justice can support judicial work, aiding in analysis and managing certain tasks, it must not supplant a judge's independent judgment, undermine their autonomy, or inadvertently create new forms of exclusion. The Minister affirmed that true innovation in justice must always equate to progress that serves human dignity, ensuring that new technologies are leveraged while preserving the core principles that underpin the judiciary's legitimacy.

Beyond technological advancements, the Minister of Justice placed a strong emphasis on judicial cooperation as central to the future consolidation of regional integration. He argued that integration extends beyond the free movement of people, goods, and capital, necessitating a coherent legal framework, robust institutions, and accessible justice across the region. To achieve this, Me Sarr called for a reinforcement of dialogue between national and community jurisdictions.

This enhanced West Africa judicial cooperation is crucial for fostering a consistent interpretation and effective application of community law. The Minister asserted that the enforceability of the Court's decisions is an essential prerequisite for the credibility of regional integration itself. Senegal, he assured, remains committed to providing ongoing support to the CEDEAO Court of Justice and to broader regional judicial cooperation, citing the recent hosting of the second edition of the pleading competition in Dakar as an example of this commitment.

Lawyers practicing before the ECOWAS Court of Justice should anticipate procedural changes, including increased digitalization, virtual hearings, and the potential use of AI in judicial processes. This also signals a renewed focus on effective application of community law and strengthened judicial cooperation, which could influence cross-border litigation strategies and the enforcement of regional judgments.

Source: Original reporting via Le Soleil