Judges of the ECOWAS Court of Justice designated their new leadership on 13 October 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria. During the session, Charlyne M. Brumskine was elected president of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. Members also elected Désiré Henri Aïhou as vice-president of the ECOWAS Court of Justice for a two-year term. The designation of these leadership roles represents a significant step in the internal governance of the institution, ensuring that the court maintains its operational capacity for the upcoming mandate.
Recent Judicial Appointments Process
Désiré Henri Aïhou received his appointment as a judge in July 2026 during the summit of heads of state. This selection process preceded his current elevation to the vice-presidency of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. The appointment of Désiré Henri Aïhou as a judge was a foundational step for his subsequent service in the leadership role he holds today.
Five new judges were sworn in on 6 October 2026 at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja. The ceremony officially integrated these members into the regional judicial body ahead of the leadership elections held on 13 October. These appointments form part of the recent administrative transition within the court, which has seen a shift in the composition of the bench. The judges of the ECOWAS Court of Justice designated their new leadership on October 13, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria, confirming the transition of power shortly after the swearing-in of the new members. Désiré Henri Aïhou was elected vice-president of the ECOWAS Court of Justice for a two-year term, solidifying his role within the newly formed leadership structure.
Ceremony and Official Remarks
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the current president of ECOWAS, attended the swearing-in ceremony held for the new judicial members. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the current president of ECOWAS, who oversaw the proceedings at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters. Addressing the assembly during the event, Bassirou Diomaye Faye stated, "La justice doit être rendue avec impartialité, indépendance et équité." The translation of this statement is: "Justice must be rendered with impartiality, independence, and fairness."
Beyond the newly elected leadership, the ECOWAS Court of Justice includes judges Awa Bah, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu, and Yaouza Ouro-Sama. The court includes judges Awa Bah, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu, and Yaouza Ouro-Sama, who carry out the judicial functions of the body alongside the elected officials. These jurists serve alongside the president and vice-president as part of the regional judicial body. Their participation in the court follows the administrative transition process that concluded with the leadership elections on 13 October 2026. The court remains committed to its mandate as it moves forward with this updated roster of judges and leadership.