H.E. Carla Borges Bettencourt, Receives Auditor-General of ECOWAS, Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Inter-Institutional Relations, Promoting Accountability By Raymond Enoch

As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intensifies efforts to strengthen institutional integrity, accountability and adherence to the rule of law, President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Charlyne M. Brumskine, has received the Auditor-General of ECOWAS Institutions, H.E. Carla Borges Bettencourt, in a move underscoring the importance of stronger collaboration among the Community’s institutions.

The high-level engagement, held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the seat of the ECOWAS Court in Abuja, Nigeria, provided an opportunity for both officials to reaffirm their commitment to fostering closer inter-institutional relations, promoting accountability and deepening mutual understanding of their respective mandates within the regional organisation.

Discussions during the courtesy visit centred on the importance of sustained collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in matters relating to compliance, institutional procedures and the effective discharge of their respective responsibilities.

The engagement highlighted the significance of constructive institutional dialogue in reinforcing the governance structures of ECOWAS, where judicial oversight, administrative compliance and accountability mechanisms remain essential to maintaining public confidence and advancing regional integration.

While the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice serves as a key judicial institution for the interpretation and application of Community law within its jurisdiction, the Office of the Auditor-General of ECOWAS Institutions plays an important role in promoting accountability and compliance across the regional organisation’s institutional framework.

Strengthening communication and cooperation between such institutions is therefore critical to ensuring that their distinct mandates complement one another in advancing transparency, institutional discipline and respect for established rules and procedures.

The meeting also underscored the importance of a shared understanding of institutional responsibilities, particularly as ECOWAS continues to pursue its regional integration agenda amid growing expectations for effective governance, credible institutions and stronger accountability mechanisms.

The visit was attended by Honourable Judges of the Court, directors, heads of divisions and key personnel from both institutions, reflecting the institutional significance attached to the engagement.

Beyond its immediate diplomatic significance, the meeting reaffirmed the shared resolve of the ECOWAS Court and the Office of the Auditor-General of ECOWAS Institutions to strengthen working relationships in support of legality, accountability and the rule of law across the Community.

For a regional organisation whose credibility depends significantly on the effectiveness of its institutions, such engagements provide an avenue for building mutual trust, improving institutional coordination and reinforcing the governance principles underpinning regional cooperation.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by both institutions to sustain constructive engagement and strengthen inter-institutional relations in furtherance of the objectives and principles of the ECOWAS Community.