The ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ) has elected Justice Ricardo Gonçalves of Cape Verde as its new President, with Justice Sengu Koroma of Sierra Leone taking on the role of Vice President. Both judges will serve a non-renewable four-year term.
The elections were conducted by the court’s college of five judges and were officially inaugurated by Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Embalo, the former Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Justice Gonçalves succeeds Justice Edward Asante, who has served as president for six years, while Justice Koroma takes over from Ivory Coast’s Gberi-bè Ouattara as Vice President.
Justice Asante has been recommended for a position on Ghana’s Supreme Court but will continue to serve on the CCJ until his extended tenure concludes in 2026.
Under Asante’s leadership, the CCJ experienced significant growth and modernization in its jurisprudence, case management, and infrastructure. He was instrumental in relocating the court from its previous overcrowded site to a new complex in Gudu District, Abuja, in 2023.
Additionally, Asante introduced an electronic case management system, facilitating both virtual and physical court sessions. This innovation has made it easier for applicants from ECOWAS member states to access the court, significantly reducing financial burdens associated with filing and hearing cases.
Moreover, Asante enhanced the court’s operations by filling numerous vacancies within its organogram, recruiting experienced lawyers for the Registry and Research Departments, thus strengthening the court’s overall capacity.
With the new leadership in place, the CCJ is poised to continue its trajectory of reform and improvement, aiming to enhance access to justice within the ECOWAS region.
