The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has delivered a landmark ruling against the Republic of Senegal for violating the right to freedom of movement of its former minister, Mr Lat Diop.
In the case marked ECW/CCJ/APP/22/24 and delivered in Lagos, the regional court found that Senegal arbitrarily barred Mr Diop from travelling abroad without legal justification, contravening regional and international human rights standards.
According to court records, Mr Diop was prevented from boarding an international flight on August 28, 2024, despite completing all check-in formalities and being issued a boarding pass.
He alleged that the move followed public remarks by Senegal’s Prime Minister, which hinted at restricting his movement. Diop claimed police officers acted on political orders to stop him.
The former minister presented substantial evidence to support his case, including his ECOWAS identity card, a stamped passport, a boarding pass, and press coverage of the Prime Minister’s comments.
He cited violations of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Senegal, however, denied any official travel ban, describing the allegations as speculative.
The government pointed out that Diop retained his diplomatic passport and was under investigation for financial crimes such as embezzlement and money laundering as of September 2024.
Despite the government’s claims, the Court unanimously ruled that the restriction was "arbitrary and without legal foundation."
It held that Senegal breached Diop’s right to freedom of movement under Article 12(2) of the African Charter.
Presiding Judge Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Gonçalves, who also served as Judge Rapporteur, delivered the ruling, supported by Justices Gberi Bé Ouattara and Edward Amoako Asante.
The Court ordered Senegal to pay Mr Diop 6 million CFA Francs in compensation and to immediately lift all restrictions on his movement.
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