The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice has elected Justice Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia as its new President, with Justice Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin emerging as Vice-President.
The new leadership was elected on Tuesday by the court’s newly constituted college of judges, marking a fresh chapter for the regional judicial institution following the conclusion of the tenure of the outgoing judges.
Speaking after her election, Brumskine pledged to uphold judicial independence, strengthen the rule of law and ensure the fair and timely administration of justice across the ECOWAS region.
She said her administration would build on the achievements of previous leaderships while addressing institutional challenges and improving the court’s effectiveness and credibility.
“I accept this responsibility fully conscious of the obligations it entails and the expectations that accompany leading a regional judicial institution entrusted with interpreting and applying community law and protecting human rights,” she said.
The new president described her election as an opportunity to serve the court, ECOWAS and the people of West Africa, rather than a personal distinction.
She stressed the importance of institutional continuity, noting that the court’s development had been shaped by successive colleges of judges, judicial officers, management and staff.
“The incoming College’s responsibility, therefore, is not to begin anew but to build on the foundations already established, preserve the institution’s core values, and respond constructively to the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Brumskine said.
She disclosed that the new leadership would carefully review handover notes, the court’s state-of-affairs report and relevant legal and administrative documents to ensure continuity in governance and operations.
Brumskine also identified improving the quality, consistency and accessibility of the court’s judgments as priorities, alongside promoting compliance with its decisions.
She said the court would maintain constructive cooperation with other ECOWAS institutions without compromising its judicial independence.
On internal administration, the president pledged to promote professionalism, accountability, capacity building, staff welfare and institutional efficiency.
According to her, the incoming leadership would establish its strategic priorities after consultations and a careful assessment of the court’s operations.
“These priorities will focus on consolidating our predecessors’ achievements, addressing existing institutional challenges, and further strengthening the court’s effectiveness, credibility, and service to the ECOWAS community,” she said.
She urged members of the new college to work collectively, stressing that judicial excellence, mutual respect and shared responsibility would be essential to fulfilling the court’s mandate.
Brumskine reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to justice, fairness and the rule of law, noting that while leadership tenures were temporary, the court’s responsibilities remained enduring.
Five judges were sworn in on October 7, 2026, in Abuja by Senegalese President Bassirou Faye, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for a four-year, non-renewable tenure.
The judges are Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin, Awa Bah of The Gambia, Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.
They were appointed by the ECOWAS Authority at its 69th Ordinary Session held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026, pursuant to the December 2025 Supplementary Act relating to the Community Court of Justice.
The law requires candidates for appointment to the court to possess at least 20 years of professional experience.
