The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sworn in five new judges of the Community Court of Justice for a four-year non-renewable term. The swearing-in ceremony took place on October 6, 2026, at the ECOWAS Commission. His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the President of Senegal and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, administered the oath of office to the new judges.
The new judges appointed are Mr Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin, Hon. Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia, and Mrs. Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia. The other two judges are Mrs. Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo. They were appointed by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 69th Ordinary Session held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026.
The appointment of the new judges was made pursuant to the December 2025 Supplementary Act relating to the Community Court of Justice. The Act requires that the Court consist of five independent judges selected from among persons of high moral character who are nationals of ECOWAS Member States. Candidates must possess qualifications for appointment to the Supreme Court or a similar-ranking court and have recognised competence in international law.
To be eligible for appointment, candidates must have accumulated at least 20 years of professional experience. Under Article 5 of the Supplementary Act, each judge is required to take an Oath of Office or make a solemn Declaration before the Chairman of the Authority before assuming office. The new judges succeeded five justices whose four-year tenure had ended.
The outgoing judges were Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves of Cape Verde, Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma of Sierra Leone, and Hon. Justice Dupe Atoki of Nigeria. The other two outgoing judges were Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and Justice Edward Amoako Asante of Ghana. The new judges are expected to elect a President and Vice-President from among themselves.
The President and Vice-President will serve for a two-year term in accordance with the provisions governing the Court. The Community Court of Justice is the judicial organ of ECOWAS responsible for matters falling within its mandate under the Community’s legal framework. The Court plays a crucial role in promoting regional integration and ensuring the rule of law in the region.
Upon assuming duty, the new judges will be expected to bring their expertise and experience to bear on the Court’s activities. The swearing-in ceremony marks a significant milestone in the administration of justice in the region. The ECOWAS Commission has welcomed the new judges and expressed confidence in their ability to discharge their duties effectively.
Key points
- The new judges were sworn in for a four-year non-renewable term.
- The judges were appointed pursuant to the December 2025 Supplementary Act relating to the Community Court of Justice.
- The new judges succeeded five justices whose four-year tenure had ended.
