The collaboration between the constitutional courts of Gabon and Togo will involve pooling resources and sharing best practices. The heads of these two high courts, Dieudonné Aba’a Owono and Professor Djobo-Babakane Coulibaley, laid the groundwork for this partnership yesterday at the Palais de la Constitution during a meeting, held a day after the Togolese delegation arrived in Libreville for a working and friendship visit.

This visit builds on the strong ties between Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. The two leaders share common perspectives on several regional and international issues.

According to both presidents, this closer relationship between the two courts is particularly relevant given current and future challenges. Constitutional justice must respond to the demands of an intergenerational society and ensure the protection of dignity, rights and freedoms for future generations.

“Dialogue between our courts is not only useful for our institutions, it is beneficial for Africa. It is no longer a mere exercise of 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 marks the start of a long series, enabling constitutional judges from both countries to work together, share reflections, jurisprudence and questions.

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Similarly, Professor Djobo-Babakane Coulibaley reaffirmed the importance of this initiative. “In this time of global turmoil, where the prestige of the rule of law is declining in many parts of the world, the dialogue between our courts offers us the opportunity to affirm our shared values expressed through the principle of the rule of law,” he emphasized. The Togolese delegation’s stay concludes on Wednesday.