The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved a new set of appointments to strategic positions across its statutory institutions for the 2026–2030 term. The decision was announced in a communiqué issued after the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
According to the communiqué, regional leaders endorsed recommendations from the 96th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers covering appointments to the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Court of Justice, the office of Auditor-General, and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).
The newly appointed ECOWAS Court of Justice judges are:
- Awa Bah (The Gambia)
- Charlyne Brumskine (Liberia)
- Désiré Aihou (Benin)
- Henrietta Didigu (Nigeria)
- Yaouza Ouro-Sama (Togo), the current Chief Registrar of the ECOWAS Court
The new ECOWAS Commission commissioners are:
- Mrs Francess Alghali (Sierra Leone) – Political Affairs, Peace and Security
- Mr Dehpue Zuo (Liberia) – Economic Affairs and Agriculture
- Dr Kalilou Sylla (Côte d’Ivoire) – Internal Services
- Mr Amin Suleiman (Ghana) – Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation
- Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari (Benin) – Human Development and Social Affairs
Other appointments include:
- Ms Carla Bettencourt (Cape Verde) – Auditor-General, ECOWAS Institutions
- Dr Palokinam Pitche (Togo) – Director-General, West African Health Organisation (WAHO)
- Mr Mam Jallow (The Gambia) – Director-General, Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa
The ECOWAS Authority also granted Nigeria an additional two weeks to review and resolve the appointment of the organisation’s Vice-President, a position allocated to the country.
Regional leaders expressed appreciation to the outgoing ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Touray, for his service and welcomed his successor, Gen. Birame Diop of Senegal. The communiqué noted that the Authority has confidence in his diplomatic, military and strategic experience to strengthen regional integration and address key challenges facing West Africa.
The summit was chaired by Sierra Leonean President Dr Julius Bio and attended by several West African leaders, senior government officials, development partners, and business representatives, including Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council.
What impact do you think these new ECOWAS appointments will have on regional cooperation and development?
