The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has sworn in five new judges to serve four-year, non-renewable terms.
The new judges are Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin, Awa Bah of The Gambia, Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.
They took the oath of office on Tuesday in Abuja before the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The appointments were approved at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, in July 2026.
The appointments followed a supplementary law adopted in December 2025, which provides for five independent judges to serve on the regional court.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Faye urged the judges to uphold impartiality, integrity and the rights of citizens in their decisions.
He said, “I believe that their commitment is to serve the community in a royal, honourable and impartial way, but also in all conscience.”
The Senegalese President noted that the judges were assuming office at a time when West Africa was dealing with political, economic, security and environmental challenges.
He stressed the importance of the court in protecting citizens’ rights and strengthening public confidence in ECOWAS institutions.
Faye said, “By making decisions, it protects the rights, reminds everyone’s obligations and strengthens confidence in our institutions.”
He also charged the judges to work without external pressure and ensure that justice was administered fairly and effectively.
According to him, the credibility of the regional court depends largely on the quality of its decisions and the confidence those decisions inspire among citizens.
The new judges replace five outgoing members whose four-year terms have expired.
They are expected to elect a president and vice-president from among themselves, with each serving a two-year term.
