Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, currently the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), will preside over the swearing-in ceremony of new ECOWAS Court judges. The event is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 am in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital. According to information obtained by the APS from the court, the new judges were appointed for a non-renewable four-year term by the Conference of Heads of State and Government during its 69th ordinary session in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026.
The new judges appointed to the ECOWAS Court are Désiré Henri AIHOU from Benin, Awa BAH from Gambia, Charlyne M. BRUMSKINE from Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka DIDIGU from Nigeria, and Yaouza OURO-SAMA from Togo. According to the ECOWAS Court's Additional Act, the Court consists of five independent judges selected from high moral standing, nationals of member states, and possessing the necessary qualifications for positions in a Supreme Court or equivalent jurisdiction. The judges must have at least twenty years of professional experience.
The Additional Act also stipulates that each judge must take an oath or make a solemn declaration before the President in exercise of the Conference of Heads of State and Government before assuming their duties. This ceremony marks the integration of the new judges into the ECOWAS Court and is part of President Diomaye Faye's activities during his official visit to ECOWAS institutions, which began on Monday in Abuja.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice is an institution of the ECOWAS, established to ensure the implementation of the Community's policies and decisions. The Court has jurisdiction to hear cases involving violations of human rights, disputes between member states, and cases involving ECOWAS institutions. The swearing-in ceremony of the new judges reaffirms the commitment of ECOWAS to uphold the rule of law and promote regional integration.
President Diomaye Faye's presence at the ceremony underscores Senegal's commitment to the ECOWAS and its institutions. As the current Chair of ECOWAS, President Faye has emphasized the importance of strengthening regional institutions and promoting cooperation among member states. The new judges will play a crucial role in advancing these objectives.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has made significant contributions to the promotion of regional integration and the protection of human rights in West Africa. The Court has heard several landmark cases, including those involving human rights abuses, trade disputes, and electoral disputes. The new judges will build on this legacy and continue to promote the rule of law in the region.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new ECOWAS Court judges is a significant event in the region's judicial calendar. It demonstrates the ECOWAS' commitment to ensuring that its institutions are strengthened and that the rule of law is upheld. The new judges will serve for a non-renewable four-year term, during which they will be expected to promote regional integration and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.
Key points
- President Diomaye Faye to administer oath to new ECOWAS Court judges in Abuja
- New ECOWAS Court judges appointed for a non-renewable four-year term
- The swearing-in ceremony marks the integration of new judges into the ECOWAS Court
