ABUJA, NIGERIA-Renowned Liberian Lawyer, Charlyne M. Brumskine and Justice Désire Henri AIHOU of Bénin have emerged as the new President and Vice-President of the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, respectively.

The new leadership was elected on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, by the new college of judges.

Their emergence marks the beginning of a new leadership chapter for the regional judicial institution, following the conclusion of the tenure of the outgoing college of judges.

The new leadership will steer the Court’s judicial and institutional affairs for the next two of their four-year, non-renewable mandate ending in 2030.

The other three Members of the Court are Justice Awa BAH of The Gambia, Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka DIDIGU of Nigeria, and Justice Yaouza OURO-SAMA of Togo.

Their emergence follows the swearing-in of these five newly appointed Judges of the Court on 6 October 2026 at the new headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.

The ceremony was presided over by the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

The transition comes at a pivotal moment for the ECOWAS Court as it advances the implementation of its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, Justice 2030.

The plan provides a framework for strengthening access to justice, improving judicial efficiency, enhancing institutional effectiveness, increasing the Court’s visibility and consolidating public confidence in regional justice.

As President, Justice Charlyne Brumskine will provide overall judicial leadership and represent the Court in its institutional and external engagements, while Justice Désiré Henri Aihou, as Vice President, will support the President in the discharge of the responsibilities of the office and perform other functions in accordance with the Court’s governing framework.

In her inaugural address, Justice Charlyne Brumskine said her election was an opportunity to serve the Court, the ECOWAS Community and ultimately the people of West Africa with commitment and a deep sense of responsibility.

“I am sincerely grateful to my esteemed colleagues for the confidence they have each reposed on me. 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,” the President said.

The formal handover of the affairs of the Court from the outgoing college to the incoming college represents an important moment of continuity, renewal, and collective responsibility,” she added.

The outgoing President of the Court, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, said the handover ceremony marked the conclusion of the tenure of the five outgoing judges and the transmission of responsibilities to the incoming Judges.

He described the ceremony as particularly significant as it expresses the fundamental principle of continuity of the institution beyond those temporarily called to serve.

On behalf of the outgoing Judges of the Court, he expressed warm wishes for a successful tenure to the incoming Judges.

Delivering his vote of thanks, the newly elected Vice President of the Court, Justice Désiré Henri Aihou, thanked the outgoing Judges for their dedication to service to the Court, people and Community.

The new College of Judges is replacing the following five outgoing judges: Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (Cape Verde), Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma (Sierra Leone), Justice Dupe Atoki (Nigeria), Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), and Justice Edward Amoako Asante (Ghana).