The constitutional courts of Gabon and Togo are moving closer together through shared efforts and exchange of expertise. The heads of these two high jurisdictions, Dieudonné Aba’a Owono and Professor Djobo-Babakane Coulibaley, laid the groundwork for this cooperation yesterday at the Palais de la Constitution in Libreville, following the arrival of the Togolese delegation on a working and friendship visit.
This initiative builds on the excellent relations between Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who share common views on several regional and international issues.
According to both presidents, the rapprochement between the two courts is timely given present and future challenges. Constitutional justice must respond to the demands of an intergenerational society and safeguard the dignity, rights and freedoms of future generations.
“Dialogue between our courts is not only useful for our institutions, it is useful for Africa. It is no longer a mere constitutional courtesy; it has become a necessity for strengthening the rule of law on our continent,” said Dieudonné Aba’a Owono. He expressed hope that this visit would be the first of many, enabling constitutional judges from both countries to work together, share ideas, case law and questions.
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Professor Djobo-Babakane Coulibaley also stressed the relevance of the move. “In this time of stormy conflict, when the prestige of the rule of law is declining nearly everywhere in the world, the dialogue between our jurisdictions gives us a chance to affirm our shared values expressed through the principle of the rule of law,” he noted. The Togolese delegation’s stay ends on Wednesday.
