Intégration, exequatur et sécurité juridique dans l’espace OHADA. Bilan et perspective d’une avancée contrastée

The status of judgments delivered by the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA) and awards of arbitration under its auspices have been perceived by jurists as the Christmas star ushering in a new era. However, an assessment of the present context reveals that the system of circulation of national enforceable acts in the OHADA (Organisation for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa) space goes against the goals of integration and legal and judicial security. The system highlights sovereigntist trends and inconsistencies that hinder the objectives of OHADA. The author hypothesizes that a pragmatic framework for the free circulation of enforceable acts in an integrated area would be a guarantee of legal security and greater confidence between states. Conscious of the fact that the abolition of exequatur has ambivalent effects, he proposes ways for a controlled streamlining of intermediate procedures that balances the interests of the parties. This would be a decisive step toward securing the business climate and the creation of a common market, thereby contributing to African unity, these all being the underlying goals of OHADA.