On October 6, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), swore in five new judges for the Community Court of Justice. The judges are Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin, Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia, Mrs Charlyne Brumskine of Liberia, Mrs Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria, and Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo. This move aims to enhance the court's capacity to deliver justice in the region.
The swearing-in ceremony marked a significant step in the court's operations, with the new judges set to serve a four-year non-renewable term. They were appointed by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 69th Ordinary Session in Lungi, Sierra Leone, in July 2026. The appointment is based on the December 2025 Supplementary Act SA.1/12/25, relating to the Community Court of Justice. The court plays a crucial role in ensuring fairness in the application of ECOWAS legal instruments and protecting citizens' rights.
President Faye charged the new judges to strengthen public trust in the court through impartial and credible justice. He emphasized that the region faces numerous challenges, including political, economic, security, and environmental issues, which require a firm commitment to the rule of law and collective action. The court's credibility, Faye stressed, depends on the quality of its decisions and the level of trust it generates among citizens.
The ECOWAS chairman urged the judges to be guided by the oath they took and to exercise their responsibilities impartially, without yielding to pressure from any source. He emphasized the need to consolidate the court's achievements and contribute to modernizing its operations towards an effective, accessible, and better court. The court's role in promoting regional integration and stability cannot be overstated.
Following the swearing-in, the judges will elect the President and Vice President from among themselves. However, a Nigerian is exempted from the position of President of the Court, as Nigeria is the host country of ECOWAS. This arrangement ensures that the court's leadership maintains a level of impartiality and independence.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, described the swearing-in as more than a ceremonial exercise, stressing that it represented a commitment by the new judges to the citizens and to a common legal order. The new judges will play a critical role in promoting justice and stability in the region.
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice plays a vital role in promoting regional integration, stability, and development. With the new judges on board, the court is expected to continue to promote fairness, justice, and the rule of law in the region. The court's effectiveness will depend on the quality of its decisions and the level of trust it generates among citizens.
Key points
- President Faye urges ECOWAS Court judges to strengthen public trust through impartial justice.
- Five new judges sworn in to serve a four-year non-renewable term.
- The court's credibility depends on the quality of its decisions and the level of trust it generates among citizens.
