ECOWAS Court Swears in Five New Judges for Four-Year Term

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has sworn in five new judges for a non-renewable four-year term, as the regional bloc works to reinforce its judicial arm, according to a report by Guardian Nigeria. The ceremony, held in Abuja, installed Desire Henri Aihou of Benin, Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia, Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo, who replace outgoing judges whose terms had expired.

The oath was administered by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who currently chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. Faye told the incoming judges that their rulings would play a central role in shaping how much confidence citizens across the region place in ECOWAS's justice system, and urged them to carry out their duties with independence, impartiality and integrity.

The new appointments come as the Community Court continues to handle a growing docket of cases touching on human rights and governance disputes across West Africa, at a moment when several member states in the bloc are navigating political transitions. The four-year, non-renewable term structure is intended to keep turnover on the bench regular while insulating judges from pressure to seek reappointment.