ECOWAS Court of Justice elects new leadership

The ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ) has elected Cape Verde’s Justice Ricardo Gonçalves as its new President.

The regional apex court also elected Sierra Leone’s Justice Sengu Koroma as new Vice President, both for non-renewable four-year tenure.

The elections took place during a session attended by the court’s college of five judges and were officiated by Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Embalo, the former chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Justice Gonçalves succeeds Justice Edward Asante, who held the presidency for six years, while Justice Koroma takes over from Ivory Coast’s Gberi-bè Ouattara in the vice-presidential role.

Asante has been recommended for a position on Ghana’s Supreme Court but will remain a judge of the court until the end of his extended tenure in 2026.

During his presidency, Justice Asante oversaw impressive advancements in the court’s operations, including improvements in jurisprudence, case management, and infrastructure.

He relocated the court from its previous overcrowded location to a new complex in Gudu District, Abuja, in 2023.

His tenure also saw the introduction of an electronic case management system, which streamlined court processes and allowed for virtual hearings, thereby easing the financial burden on applicants from ECOWAS member states.

Reflecting on his time in office, Justice Asante described it as a “worthwhile experience” that provided him valuable insights into the ECOWAS integration process and underscored the importance of human rights, accountability, and transparency.

In his inaugural address, Justice Gonçalves outlined his vision for the court, emphasizing two key pillars: responsibility and dialogue.

He expressed a commitment to upholding the court’s mission as an independent, efficient, and accessible institution.

Gonçalves highlighted the necessity for ongoing dialogue with other ECOWAS institutions, member states, and civil society, along with a focus on the prudent management of ECOWAS funds.

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