In line with its strategic objective to support regional efforts to enhance democratic governance, the respect for the rule of law and human rights, UNOWAS hosted on 20 November, a Virtual Seminar of the West African Bar Association (WABA) with the objective to revise the Association’s legal and institutional framework.

Since its creation in 2004, WABA has been critical in mobilizing Bar Associations and Legal Practitioners to play a proactive role in the development of legal systems and institutions in the region and to meaningfully contribute to efforts aimed at promoting democratic governance through the respect of the rule of law and human rights. At the WABA Conference on “Promoting democratic consolidation through the respect of the rule of law and human rights: Leveraging the role of Bar Associations”, held in Accra, Ghana, on 1 and 2 August 2023, in acknowledgement of its institutional challenges, the WABA decided to establish a Committee to lead the revision of the WABA’s Constitution.

As part of continued engagements to help revitalize the WABA to reorganize its organs and membership to enable it to leverage its expertise and contribute to finding lasting solutions to some of the complex challenges facing the West African region, and in accordance with its strategic objective to support regional efforts to enhance democratic governance, the respect for the rule of law and human rights, UNOWAS hosted on 20 November, a Virtual Seminar of the West African Bar Association (WABA) to discuss required amendments to the Association’s legal and institutional framework.

Addressing the participants, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, encouraged the WABA and Bar Associations to further strengthen their efforts to consolidate democracy, the rule of law and human rights, critical to peace and stability in a sub-region which is facing political and security challenges.

During the working session, the members of WABA reviewed proposed improvements to its legal and institutional framework submitted by the Transition and Constitution Amendment Committee. Discussions focused on the purpose and mission of WABA, its membership, governing bodies, funding sources as well as other related issues. A new consolidated Constitution will be prepared and endorsed at the next Annual Conference of WABA, planned for the first quarter of 2024.