ECOWAS Community Court Gets New President
By Chiamaka Livingstone
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has elected Liberian Judge, Charlyne Brumskine, as its new President, and Benin’s Justice Désiré Aihou, as Vice President, following the swearing-in of five new judges in Abuja.
A statement by the Head of Public Information and External Relations, of the Community Court, Elohor Ovadje, said the election took place during a session of the Court’s newly constituted College of Judges.
According to the statement, the new leadership is expected to oversee the Court’s judicial and institutional affairs as it implements its Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030, stating that the strategic plan focuses on strengthening access to justice, improving judicial efficiency, enhancing institutional effectiveness, increasing the Court’s visibility and boosting public confidence in regional justice.
The other newly appointed Judges 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 the Headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja at a ceremony presided over by the Senegalese President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Faye.
In her inaugural address, Justice Brumskine described her election as an opportunity to serve the Court, the ECOWAS Community and the people of West Africa.
She expressed gratitude to her colleagues for the confidence reposed in her, and pledged to discharge her responsibilities with commitment, humility and a strong sense of duty.
According to Brumskine, the formal hand-over from the out-going to the incoming College of Judges represented continuity, renewal and collective responsibility in the administration of regional justice.
As President, she will provide overall judicial leadership and represent the Court in institutional and external engagements, while Justice Aihou will support her in carrying out the responsibilities of the office and perform other duties in line with the Court’s governing framework.
