By K. Ericson Sayee
The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government and President of Senegal, H. E. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, has presided over the swearing-in of five new judges of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, including Liberian Lawyer; Charlyne Brumskine.
The inaugural program which took place on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria, marked the commencement of a four-year, unrenewable mandate for the newly inducted judges who are expected to steer the affairs of the regional justice, including the rule of law and the preservation of fundamental rights across the region.
Liberian Justice Brumskine joins ranks with four other judges sworn into office. Those sworn into office, including Cllr. Brumskine, including Hon. Justice Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin, Hon. Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia, Hon. Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria, and Hon. Justice Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.
Administering the oath as Chair of Heads of States, Pres. Faye urged the new judges to remain committed to outrightly dispense fair justice guided in their solemn pledge and dedication they have signed up to.
He emphasized that fair and credible justice of the region is dependent on the quality of judgements the court will make.
Pres. Faye told the newly inducted judges: “The reputation of the Court depends on the quality of its decisions and the trust it inspires”.
During the ceremony, the new judges vowed to dispense their responsibilities with independence, impartiality, and integrity in accordance with the motive in which the court was established.
The program brought together several senior regional officials, including ECOWAS Commission President H.E. General Birame Diop, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, H.E. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, Senegal’s Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad and Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, H. E. Cheikh Niang; and Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, Hon. Justice Muhammadou Mansour Maybe.
Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, the President and Judges of the Community Court of Justice, members of the Judicial Council, representatives of ECOWAS Member States and other distinguished guests.
The swearing-in of the new judges is part of the community’s continued efforts to reinforce and improve its regional legal and institutional framework amid growing demands for stronger accountability, human rights protection and access to justice.
With the appointment of the five judges, the Community Court of Justice is expected to further strengthen its role in upholding the rule of law, protecting fundamental rights and consolidating the legal order of the West African bloc.
For Liberia, the elevation of Justice Charlyne M. Brumskine to the regional bench represents a significant moment, placing a Liberian jurist among those entrusted with helping shape and uphold justice within the ECOWAS community.
Cllr. Brumskine challenged the rigorous evaluation during the selection process. This signals a strong and positive sign of how Liberian professionals can compete with their counterparts both in the regional and international systems.