What did the 2008 ECOWAS Court of Justice ruling say about slavery in Niger?

In 2008, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice issued a landmark ruling regarding slavery in Niger. The court found the Nigerien government guilty of failing to protect a woman from slavery, specifically citing its failure to enforce the country’s existing antislavery laws.12

This verdict was widely celebrated by activists as a historic human rights victory. It was hoped that the ruling would serve as a catalyst for more rigorous enforcement of antislavery legislation, not only within Niger but also across other West African nations subject to the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS court.12