President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of ECOWAS has called on newly appointed judges of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to render justice with equity and impartiality. The swearing-in ceremony took place in Abuja, Nigeria, as part of his official working visit to ECOWAS institutions. The five new judges are Désiré Henri Aihou from Benin, Awa Bah from The Gambia, Charlyne M. Brumskine from Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu from Nigeria, and Yaouza Ouro-Sama from Togo.
The new judges, consisting of three women and two men, are expected to elect a President and Vice-President from among themselves to serve a two-year term. President Faye emphasized that the current situation in the sub-region demands a shared commitment to the supremacy of the rule of law. He noted that the region faces unprecedented challenges that test its capacity for collective action.
President Faye highlighted the central role of the Community Court of Justice in upholding ECOWAS legal frameworks. The court is responsible for ensuring strict compliance with treaties and major legal instruments across member states. Through its decisions, the court protects rights, recalls the obligations of each person, and reinforces trust in ECOWAS institutions.
President Faye reminded the judges of the weight of their oath and urged them to remain resilient against external influences. He quoted Plato, saying justice is not merely an external rule of law but the harmony of the soul for each party. Faye emphasized that judicial integrity requires not only legal rigour but also restraint and fidelity to public duty.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Gen. Birame Diop, noted that the ECOWAS Court of Justice has become accessible to all citizens of the community. He pledged the Commission's commitment to working tirelessly to justify the trust reposed in it by the Community's authorities. Gen. Diop also disclosed that work is underway regarding the potential creation of an Appellate Chamber for the Court.
Gen. Diop stressed the need for stronger cooperation among ECOWAS institutions, including the Commission, Judicial Council, Court, Parliament, and member states. He urged member states to sustain cooperation with the Court to ensure effective implementation of its decisions and consolidate the rule of law across the region.
The Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, Justice Mouhamadou Mansour Mbaye, advised the new judges to uphold strict independence, impartiality, and integrity in their service. He emphasized that full regional integration cannot be realized without a firmly established rule of law operating around uniform, independent, and consistently applied legal standards across all member states.
Key points
- President Faye urges ECOWAS Court judges to uphold equity and impartiality in dispensing justice.
- The ECOWAS Court of Justice has become accessible to all citizens of the community.
- Work is underway on the potential creation of an Appellate Chamber for the Court.
