Gambian judge Justice Awa Bah has been sworn in as a judge of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, becoming the first Gambian appointed to the regional court for the 2026–2030 term.

Justice Bah took the oath of office in Abuja on Tuesday alongside four other judges from Benin, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo.

The appointments were approved by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its 69th Ordinary Session in Sierra Leone in July.

The oath was administered by Senegalese President and ECOWAS Chairman Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who urged the judges to uphold impartiality, integrity and the rights of citizens across West Africa.

The new judges will serve a single four-year, non-renewable term under the bloc’s revised rules.

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.

The five judges replace members whose terms have ended and are expected to elect a president and vice-president of the court from among themselves for two-year terms.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Faye said the court has a vital role in protecting citizens’ rights and strengthening confidence in regional institutions amid political, economic and security challenges facing West Africa.