ABSTRACT
The primary aim of ECOWAS is to promote cooperation and regional integration, leading to theestablishment of an economically stable West Africa which would eventually lead to an upgradethe living standards of its peoples, foster relations among members and contribute to the progressand development of the African Continent. It has since been realized that this integration anddevelopmentalobjectivescannotbeachievedwithoutpeace.Indeed,thesubregionhasexperienced a rash of unconstitutional overthrown of Governments, electoral violence, civicstrife, civil wars, insurgency and acts of terrorism. In order to prevent, manage and resolve thesevariouscrisesandconflictsandemphasizetheneedforruleoflaw,democracy andgoodgovernance, the community has taken bold measures to intervene in these crises and create theenabling peaceful environment for development. It has also adopted various legal instruments inorderto create thenecessarylegal framework toachieveits objectives.
There is a natural link between respect for human rights, rule of law, justice and peace. Someconflicts arise as a result of injustice and lack of rule of law, democratic institutions and goodgovernance.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice therefore has pivotal role in peace building in theCommunity through the rule of law. The importance of the Court's role in the protection ofhuman rights cannot be over emphasized since it provides a sub-regional forum for aggrievedCommunity citizens to seek redress for human rights violations.
