The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has elected Justice Charlyne Brumskine of Liberia as its new President and Justice Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin Republic as Vice-President.
The two judges were elected on Tuesday by the newly constituted college of judges, following the swearing-in of five new judges on October 6 at the new headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja.
Their election ushers in a new leadership for the regional judicial institution following the expiration of the tenure of the outgoing college, led by Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves of Cape Verde.
The new leadership is expected to steer the Court’s judicial and institutional affairs as it implements its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, known as Justice 2030, which seeks to expand access to justice, improve judicial efficiency, strengthen institutional effectiveness and enhance public confidence in regional justice.
Other members of the new college are Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia, Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Justice Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.
The five judges were sworn in at a ceremony presided over by the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
In her inaugural address, Brumskine expressed gratitude to her colleagues for the confidence reposed in her, describing her election as an opportunity to serve the Court, the ECOWAS Community and the people of West Africa.
“With profound humility and a deep sense of duty, I address you as the newly elected president of this distinguished institution. I am sincerely grateful to my esteemed colleagues for the confidence they have each reposed on me,” she said.
She said she accepted the responsibility with a clear understanding of the obligations associated with leading a regional judicial institution mandated to interpret and apply Community law and protect human rights.
Brumskine described the leadership transition as a significant moment in the Court’s institutional development, highlighting the importance of continuity, renewal and collective responsibility.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the institutional life of the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS,” she said, noting that the transition demonstrated the institution’s continuity beyond the tenure of individual officeholders.
The outgoing President, Justice Gonçalves, said the handover marked the end of the tenure of the five outgoing judges and the transfer of responsibilities to their successors.
He described the ceremony as a demonstration of the principle that the institution must continue to function effectively beyond the service period of individual judges and wished the incoming college a successful tenure.
In his vote of thanks, the new Vice-President, Justice Aihou, commended the outgoing judges for their dedication to the Court, the people and the ECOWAS Community.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Court’s management, the acting chief registrar, directors and staff to the successful organisation of the handover ceremony.
The new President and Vice-President pledged to uphold judicial independence, impartiality, integrity and accountability while working with other members of the Court to improve the accessibility, effectiveness and credibility of regional justice.
Their emergence comes as the Court seeks to advance its institutional priorities under the Justice 2030 plan, with a focus on improving justice delivery and ensuring that its work responds effectively to the needs and expectations of citizens across West Africa.
The new college succeeds five outgoing judges: Justice 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.
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