ABUJA, NIGERIA — Liberian jurist Justice Charlyne M. Brumskine is among five newly appointed judges of the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) who have been sworn into office for a four-year, non-renewable tenure.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on October 6, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria, with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, administering the oath.
The newly appointed judges pledged to discharge their judicial responsibilities with independence, impartiality and integrity in accordance with the applicable legal and institutional frameworks governing the regional court.
Brumskine’s appointment places a Liberian jurist among the judges responsible for interpreting and applying ECOWAS Community law, including addressing human rights violations that fall within the Court’s jurisdiction.
ECOWAS Chairman Urges Independence and Integrity
Speaking at the ceremony, President Faye urged the new judges to remain faithful to their oath of office, emphasizing that the Court’s reputation depends on the quality of its decisions and the confidence those decisions inspire among citizens and member states.
He encouraged the judges to build on the Court’s achievements while supporting its modernization to meet contemporary challenges and making regional justice more effective, accessible and responsive to the needs of the people.
President Faye also highlighted the importance of the Court’s mandate amid political, economic, security and environmental challenges confronting West Africa.
He stressed that the institution has a central responsibility to enforce ECOWAS treaties and other community legal instruments while protecting the rights of individuals within its jurisdiction.
The Senegalese leader called on the judges to uphold the highest standards of judicial independence and impartiality, noting that public confidence in the regional judicial system depends on the integrity of its officers.
He also recognized the contributions of the outgoing judges to the development of the Court’s jurisprudence and the advancement of access to justice and human rights protection throughout the region.
Judicial Independence Is a Guarantee to Citizens
Also speaking at the ceremony, Justice Mouhamadou Mansour Mbaye, Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council and former President of Senegal’s Supreme Court, congratulated the newly appointed judges and reminded them of the weight of their responsibilities.
He emphasized that judicial independence is not a personal privilege enjoyed by judges but a fundamental protection owed to people seeking justice.
According to Justice Mbaye, the judges must demonstrate consistent independence, unquestionable impartiality and irreproachable integrity while performing their duties.
He described the ceremony as both a tribute to the institution and an expression of renewed confidence in the judges selected through a rigorous appointment process.
He further underscored the Court’s role in progressively building a regional legal system capable of advancing justice and strengthening the rule of law across West Africa.
ECOWAS Commission Pledges Institutional Support
In an earlier welcome address, ECOWAS Commission President General Birame Diop paid tribute to the outgoing judges for their service to the Court and the wider Community.
He stressed that taking the oath of office represents more than a formal ceremony, describing it as a solemn commitment to perform judicial duties with integrity, impartiality and conscientiousness.
Diop noted that the commitment extends beyond the ECOWAS leadership to every citizen of the regional bloc.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the Court in fulfilling its mandate and called for stronger cooperation among ECOWAS institutions, member states and national judicial systems.
The Commission president also urged the new judges to put aside personal interests and remain committed to serving the law, the Community and its people.
Five Judges Begin New Four-Year Tenure
The five newly sworn-in judges are:
– Justice Désiré Henri Aihou — Benin
– Justice Awa Bah — The Gambia
– Justice Charlyne M. Brumskine — Liberia
– Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu — Nigeria
– Justice Yaouza Ouro-Sama — Togo
They replace five outgoing judges who completed their tenure at the Court.
The ceremony brought together senior officials from ECOWAS member states and institutions, diplomatic representatives, judicial authorities, legal practitioners, journalists and other distinguished guests.
What Brumskine’s Appointment Means for Liberia
Brumskine’s appointment represents an important development for Liberia’s participation in regional judicial affairs. Her new role places her within an institution that provides a regional judicial mechanism for addressing matters involving ECOWAS law and human rights.
The Court’s effectiveness, however, will depend not simply on the qualifications of its judges but also on their ability to deliver impartial judgments, uphold legal standards and ensure that justice remains accessible to those entitled to seek it.
As the new judges begin their four-year tenure, their performance will be measured by their commitment to judicial independence, the quality of their decisions and their contribution to strengthening public confidence in the rule of law throughout West Africa.
For Liberia and the wider ECOWAS Community, the challenge is to ensure that the Court remains a credible institution where justice is determined by law rather than political influence or personal interest.
