Justice Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia has emerged as President of the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with Justice Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin elected Vice-President. The two were chosen by the court’s newly constituted college of judges on October 13, 2026.

Their election marks a new phase for the regional judicial institution, which handles matters within its jurisdiction under ECOWAS law. The new leadership is expected to strengthen the court’s operations, promote public confidence and improve the delivery of justice across the West African region.

Speaking after her election, Brumskine pledged to uphold judicial independence, strengthen the rule of law and promote the fair and timely administration of justice. She said the new leadership would build on the work of previous administrations while addressing institutional challenges and improving the court’s effectiveness.

Brumskine also stressed the importance of continuity, saying the incoming judges would review handover documents, reports on the court’s operations and relevant legal and administrative records before setting out their priorities. She identified the quality, consistency and accessibility of the court’s decisions, as well as compliance with its judgments, as important areas requiring attention.

The new president further pledged to encourage professionalism, accountability, staff development and institutional efficiency. She said the court would cooperate constructively with other ECOWAS institutions while safeguarding its judicial independence, adding that the incoming leadership would determine its strategic priorities after consultations and an assessment of the court’s operations.

Brumskine and Aihou are among five judges sworn into office on October 6, 2026, at a ceremony in Abuja presided over by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. The other judges are Awa Bah of The Gambia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo. They were appointed for a four-year, non-renewable tenure following a decision by the ECOWAS Authority at its 69th Ordinary Session in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19.

The leadership transition comes as the court continues its work on access to justice, judicial efficiency and public confidence in regional institutions. Whether the new administration can deliver faster case resolution and stronger compliance with its judgments will depend on the practical measures adopted during its tenure.