The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sworn in five new judges of its Community Court of Justice, with Senegalese President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, urging them to strengthen public confidence in the region’s justice system.
Faye administered the oath of office to the judges on Tuesday at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, charging them to carry out their duties independently and without fear, favour or external pressure.
The newly appointed judges are Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin, Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia, Charlyne Brumskine of Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.
Faye said the Community Court had an important responsibility in protecting citizens’ rights, upholding fairness and strengthening confidence in regional institutions, particularly as West Africa continues to face political, economic, security and environmental challenges.
He urged the judges to allow the oath they had taken to guide their decisions throughout their four-year tenure, stressing the importance of impartiality, independence and adherence to the rule of law.
According to him, the credibility of the Court would depend largely on the quality of its judgments and the level of confidence those decisions generate among citizens.
Faye also encouraged the judges to build on the Court’s achievements while supporting efforts to modernise its operations and make access to regional justice more effective.
The five judges were appointed by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for a four-year, non-renewable tenure at its 69th Ordinary Session held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026.
Their appointment followed the adoption of the December 2025 Supplementary Act SA.1/12/25 concerning the Community Court of Justice.
The new judges replaced five outgoing members whose four-year terms had ended. They are Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves of Cape Verde, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma of Sierra Leone, Justice Dupe Atoki of Nigeria, Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and Justice Edward Amoako Asante of Ghana.
Faye commended the outgoing judges for their contributions to the development of ECOWAS community law and the regional integration process.
Earlier, ECOWAS Commission President, General Birame Diop, described the swearing-in as more than a formal judicial ceremony, saying it represented a commitment by the new judges to uphold the common legal framework of the regional bloc.
Diop said the judges were expected to put aside personal interests and external influences and perform their duties with integrity, loyalty, impartiality and a clear conscience.
He described the Community Court as one of ECOWAS’ most accessible institutions, particularly because individuals can directly approach it to seek redress over alleged human rights violations.
According to him, the Court’s human rights jurisprudence has gained recognition beyond West Africa and contributed significantly to the development of regional law.
Diop, however, called for closer cooperation between the ECOWAS Commission, Community Court, Judicial Council, Parliament and member states, stressing that institutional collaboration should complement judicial independence.
He also disclosed that discussions were ongoing over a proposal to establish an Appellate Chamber for the Community Court.
A committee involving representatives of ECOWAS institutions has been set up to examine the proposal, while recommendations from an international conference recently held in Dakar are expected to inform the process.
Diop further urged member states to cooperate more closely with the Court and ensure that its decisions are effectively implemented.
The five judges are expected to elect a President and Vice-President from among themselves for two-year terms after assuming office.
Their appointment comes at a critical period for ECOWAS, with the Community Court remaining central to the protection of citizens’ rights and the interpretation and enforcement of regional laws.
