New Era Begins! ECOWAS Court Elects Bold New President – Are Big Changes On The Horizon

New Era Begins! ECOWAS Court Elects Bold New President – Are Big Changes On The HorizonThe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice (CCJ) has named Justice Ricardo Gonçalves from Cape Verde as its new President. Justice Sengu Koroma from Sierra Leone has been elected as the new Vice President. Both officials will serve a non-renewable term of four years.

According to Naija News, their election was carried out by a panel of five judges and was followed by an inauguration ceremony presided over by President Umaro Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, who previously held the position of Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Justice Gonçalves succeeds Justice Edward Asante, who served as President for six years, while Justice Koroma takes over from Gberi-bè Ouattara of Ivory Coast in the Vice Presidency.

It is noteworthy that Justice Asante has been nominated for a position on Ghana’s Supreme Court but will continue to serve as a judge of the CCJ until the end of his extended term in 2026.

During Asante’s presidency, the CCJ saw substantial progress and transformation in its legal framework, case management, and physical infrastructure. He oversaw the relocation of the Court from its previous overcrowded premises to a new complex in Gudu District, Abuja, in 2023.

Asante also implemented several innovative changes within the CCJ, including the introduction of an electronic case management system and subsequent revisions to the Court’s practice directions. These enhancements have facilitated more efficient virtual and in-person court sessions, making it easier for applicants from ECOWAS member states to access the Court and alleviating their financial burdens, as applications can now be submitted online, with cases heard and judgments rendered digitally.

Furthermore, he successfully filled various vacancies within the Court’s structure by recruiting experienced legal professionals for the Registry and Research Departments.