The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially verified the selection of new leaders for critical roles and specialized agencies to serve from 2026 to 2030. This decision was formalized following the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
The mandate includes staffing five commissioner roles within the ECOWAS Commission, naming five judges for the regional Court of Justice, and selecting the auditor-general alongside the director-general for the West African Health Organisation. These selections align with recommendations made during the Ninety-Sixth Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers.
The new judicial appointees for the ECOWAS Court include Awa Bah from The Gambia, Charlyne Brumskine representing Liberia, Désiré Aihou from Benin, Henrietta Didigu from Nigeria, and Yaouza Ouro-Sama from Togo. Additionally, several incoming commissioners were named: Francess Alghali for political affairs, peace, and security; Dehpue Zuo for economic affairs and agriculture; Kalilou Sylla for internal services; Amin Suleiman for infrastructure, energy, and digitalisation; and Nassirou Bako-Arifari for human development and social affairs.
Regional leaders also appointed Carla Bettencourt as Auditor-General, Palokinam Pitche to lead the West African Health Organisation, and Mam Jallow as head of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa. Regarding the ECOWAS vice-president position, the regional authority granted Nigeria two additional weeks to finalize their decision. Furthermore, the group acknowledged the service of outgoing Commission President Dr. Omar Touray and welcomed Gen. Birame Diop of Senegal as his successor, noting his extensive background in military and diplomatic sectors.
