ECOWAS Swears in Five New Judges for Community Court

On October 6, 2026, five new judges were sworn in for a four-year non-renewable tenure at the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja. The judges are Désiré Henri Aihou from Benin, Justice Awa Bah from The Gambia, Charlyne M.

Brumskine from Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu from Nigeria, and Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama from Togo. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Bassirou Faye, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Senegal.

These judges were appointed during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026, following the December 2025 Supplementary Act regarding the Community Court of Justice. Faye emphasized the importance of impartiality and integrity in their roles, particularly in light of the region's political, economic, security, and environmental challenges.

The new judges will replace those whose terms have ended and are expected to enhance the court's effectiveness and accessibility.