The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has formally approved sweeping statutory appointments across community institutions, selecting new court judges, commissioners, and agency heads to drive regional integration from 2026 to 2030.
In a decisive move to strengthen regional governance, deepen economic integration, and bolster institutional effectiveness across West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government has officially approved the selection of new leaders for key statutory positions and specialized institutions covering the 2026 to 2030 operational period.
The high-level decisions were formalized in an official communique issued on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, following the successful conclusion of the 69th Ordinary Session of the regional body held in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
Presided over by Sierra Leonean President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the summit saw sub-regional leaders endorse the comprehensive recommendations submitted by the Ninety-Sixth Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, clearing the path for fresh executive leadership across the ECOWAS Commission, the ECOWAS Court of Justice, and several specialized agency divisions.
Under the newly ratified executive structure, five distinguished legal practitioners were named as judges of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, comprising Awa Bah from The Gambia, Charlyne Brumskine from Liberia, Désiré Aihou from Benin Republic, Henrietta Didigu from Nigeria, and the current Chief Registrar of the regional court, Yaouza Ouro-Sama from Togo.
Concurrently, regional leaders approved five new commissioners to assume office at the ECOWAS Commission as outgoing officials complete their respective tenures.
The incoming cabinet of commissioners includes Mrs. Francess Alghali of Sierra Leone, who takes charge of Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Mr. Dehpue Zuo of Liberia, heading Economic Affairs and Agriculture; Dr. Kalilou Sylla of Ivory Coast, overseeing Internal Services; Mr. Amin Suleiman of Ghana, managing Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation; and Professor Nassirou Bako-Arifari of Benin Republic, leading Human Development and Social Affairs.
The strategic restructuring extends to key specialized agencies and administrative oversight bodies across the bloc, with Ms. Carla Bettencourt of Cape Verde appointed as Auditor-General for ECOWAS Institutions.
Furthermore, Dr. Palokinam Pitche of Togo was named Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), while Mr. Mam Jallow of The Gambia assumes leadership as Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
Regarding executive leadership at the highest administrative tier, the regional authority welcomed incoming Commission President General Birame Diop of Senegal, expressing strong confidence in his extensive diplomatic, military, and strategic expertise to navigate complex regional challenges while offering profound appreciation to outgoing President Dr. Omar Touray for his distinguished service. The assembly also granted a requested two-week extension to Nigeria to review and resolve the allocation of the ECOWAS Vice-President position.
The landmark summit brought together an array of regional heads of state, diplomatic envoys, and international dignitaries, underscoring the collective commitment to sub-regional security and economic cooperation.
Attending leaders included Presidents Romuald Wadagni of Benin, José Maria Neves of Cape Verde, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, John Mahama of Ghana, Joseph Boakai of Liberia, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, alongside Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné of Côte d’Ivoire, Vice President Kashim Shettima of Nigeria, General Mamady Doumbouya of Guinea, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, and President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania.
High-profile observers and partners in attendance included United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Amina Mohammed, ECOWAS Chief Negotiator Dr. Lansana Kouyaté, Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council Alhaji Aliko Dangote, African Development Bank representative Dr. Abdul Kamara, Special Envoy on Counterterrorism Ambassador Baba Kamara, Trade Liberalisation Taskforce Chairman Musa Sillah, and Mahamadou Gado representing the UEMOA Commission.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
