Justice Awa Bah, formerly of the Supreme Court of The Gambia, was sworn in on Tuesday as a judge of the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, joining four other judges for a four-year, non-renewable term running from 2026 to 2030.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, administered the oath in Abuja at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters. The other judges sworn in were Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin, Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.
Justice Bah’s appointment marks a milestone for The Gambia. She was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2020 after serving as President of the Court of Appeal, where she became the first woman to hold that office. Her elevation to the regional bench makes her the first Gambian to serve as a judge of the Community Court.
The ECOWAS Authority appointed the five judges at its 69th Ordinary Session in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on 19 July 2026, under the December 2025 Supplementary Act relating to the Community Court of Justice. The Act provides for five independent judges chosen from nationals of member states who meet the qualifications for appointment to a supreme court or equivalent court, or who are experienced legal advisers with recognized competence in international law, particularly community and regional integration law. Candidates must also have at least 20 years of professional experience.
Speaking at the ceremony, Faye urged the new judges to discharge their duties with impartiality, integrity and a commitment to the rights of citizens across the region. He said the swearing-in came at a time when West Africa faced political, economic, security and environmental challenges, and stressed the need for a stronger commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
“By making decisions, it protects the rights, reminds everyone of their obligations and strengthens confidence in our institutions,” Faye said of the Court. He told the judges that the oath they had taken should guide their decisions, and that they must administer justice equitably and without pressure. He also charged them to strengthen the Court so that community justice becomes more effective and accessible.
“The court’s reputation is built on the quality of its decisions and on the confidence that it instills,” he said.
The new bench succeeds Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves of Cape Verde, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma of Sierra Leone, Justice Dupe Atoki of Nigeria, Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and Justice Edward Amoako Asante of Ghana, whose four-year terms have ended.
Under Article 5 of the Supplementary Act, judges must take an oath or make a solemn declaration before the Chairman of the Authority before assuming office. The five are expected to elect a president and vice-president from among themselves for two-year terms.
