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University of Lomé hosts international symposium on regional justice and sovereignty
The University of Lomé is hosting a two-day international symposium, held on October 29 and 30, 2026, organized by the Centre de Droit Public (CDP). The event brings together legal experts, academics, and public figures from several countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Niger, and Senegal, to discuss the role of regional African jurisdictions in protecting human rights and maintaining the rule of law.
A central theme of the discussions is the tension between state sovereignty and the authority of regional courts, such as the ECOWAS Court of Justice. Participants are examining how to reconcile constitutional autonomy with international human rights obligations and the oversight of constitutional changes.
The symposium specifically addresses a January 2026 ruling by the ECOWAS Court regarding Togo’s March 2024 constitutional reform. The Court ruled that the reform violated the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, characterizing it as an unconstitutional change of government. While opposition groups view this as a validation of their position, the Togolese government maintains that the Court lacks the jurisdiction to oversee domestic constitutional matters.
Entities
Centre de Droit Public · ECOWAS Court of Justice · Kossivi Hounake · Togo · University of Lomé
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ECOWAS Court characterized the reform as an unconstitutional change of government. icilome.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Togolese government contests the Court’s ruling, stating it has no jurisdiction over domestic constitutional review. icilome.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The event focuses on the relationship between regional jurisdictions, the rule of law, and state sovereignty. afrique-news.tg · gapola.tg · icilome.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The symposium is organized by the Centre de Droit Public (CDP). afrique-news.tg · gapola.tg · icilome.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The University of Lomé is hosting an international symposium on October 29 and 30, 2026. afrique-news.tg · gapola.tg · icilome.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ECOWAS Court ruled that the Togolese reform violated article 23 of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. icilome.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Court’s ruling did not order the repeal of the law or financial reparations. icilome.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ECOWAS Court of Justice issued a decision on January 29, 2026, regarding Togo’s March 2024 constitutional reform. icilome.com