Togo lawyers debate regional court's power over constitution
Jurists gathered at the University of Lomé on October 29, 2026, to discuss human rights courts and state sovereignty.
Jurists from across the region met at the University of Lomé on October 29 and 30, 2026, to discuss the role of regional courts. The conference focused on how these courts interact with the rule of law, constitutional changes, and state sovereignty.
A key discussion point was the ECOWAS Court of Justice's January 29, 2026, ruling on Togo's March 2024 constitutional reform. Opposition parties and civil society groups brought the case, arguing the reform violated certain principles. The government contested the court's jurisdiction over internal constitutional matters.
The debate continues over the ruling's implications, with some opposition groups viewing it as a judicial validation of illegitimacy. However, the court did not order the repeal of the constitutional law or any financial reparations, and the government maintains the court lacks authority for such control.
Why it mattersA conference in Lomé on October 29, 2026, addressed the ECOWAS Court of Justice's ruling on Togo's constitutional reform, impacting the political legitimacy debate.