ECOWAS court gets new judges

The Community Court of Justice within the Economic Community of West African States recently inducted five new judges for a four-year non-renewable term. The new members are Désiré Henri Aihou from Benin, Awa Bah from The Gambia, Brumskine from Liberia, Didigu from Nigeria, and Yaouza Ouro-Sama from Togo. They were sworn in by ECOWAS Authority Chairman and Senegal President, Bassirou Faye, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The appointments were made following the ECOWAS Authority's 69th Ordinary Session held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026, in accordance with the December 2025 Supplementary Act. The act mandates the Community Court to consist of five independent judges who are nationals of ECOWAS member states, possessing qualifications equivalent to those required for the Supreme Court or international legal expertise in community and regional integration law.

The judges must also have at least 20 years of professional experience. ECOWAS Chairman Faye urged the new judges to uphold impartiality, integrity, and a commitment to protecting citizens' rights across the region. Faye noted the court's vital role in upholding human rights and strengthening confidence in ECOWAS institutions during a period of regional challenges.

The new judges will also choose a president and vice-president from among themselves for two-year terms after assuming office.