Liberia: Charlyne Brumskine Sworn In As ECOWAS Court Judge

• Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine, a Liberian lawyer and former vice-presidential candidate, was sworn in as a judge of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice on October 6.
• Her appointment secures Liberia a seat on the regional bench for the 2026-2030 term.
• Four other judges from Benin, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Togo were also inducted, succeeding judges whose mandates ended.
• Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye administered the oath, urging the new judges to uphold impartiality and strengthen public confidence.
• Cllr. Brumskine's extensive background in constitutional law, human rights, and governance, along with her political experience, positions her as a key figure in West African regional justice.

The appointment of a Liberian jurist like Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine to this court is particularly significant, as it places a voice from Liberia on a body central to protecting fundamental rights and interpreting the legal framework of the West African community.

On Tuesday, October 6, a significant judicial induction ceremony took place at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, where five new judges were sworn into the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States. Among these distinguished appointees was Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine, a prominent Liberian lawyer, law professor, and former vice-presidential candidate. Her appointment secures a Liberian presence on the regional bench for the upcoming 2026-2030 term, marking a notable development in West African regional justice.

The oath of office was administered by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. The other four jurists joining the court are Désiré Henri Aihou from Benin, Awa Bah from The Gambia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu from Nigeria, and Yaouza Ouro-Sama from Togo. These ECOWAS judicial appointments represent a renewal of the court's composition, as they succeed five judges whose four-year mandates have concluded. The outgoing judges include Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves of Cape Verde, Sengu Mohamed Koroma of Sierra Leone, Dupe Atoki of Nigeria, Gberi-Bè Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire, and Edward Amoako Asante of Ghana.

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, headquartered in Abuja, functions as the principal judicial organ for the regional bloc. Its fundamental mandate involves adjudicating disputes related to the interpretation and application of ECOWAS legal instruments, alongside providing essential judicial protection within the community. The recent induction of new judges underscores the ongoing importance of this institution in upholding the rule of law across West Africa.

Following their swearing-in, the newly constituted panel of judges is tasked with electing a president and vice-president from among themselves. These leadership positions are held for two-year terms, guiding the court's operations and jurisprudence. This internal selection process is crucial for establishing the court's direction and ensuring its effective functioning as it addresses the complex legal challenges facing the region.

Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine brings a wealth of experience to her role as an ECOWAS Court judge, having been appointed in July 2026 for the 2026-2030 term. Her career trajectory demonstrates a significant transition from national legal practice and politics in Liberia to a broader regional judicial service. An alumna of Columbia University and Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., her academic foundation has underpinned a career deeply rooted in constitutional law, gender rights, and governance reform.

Before her regional appointment, Cllr. Brumskine founded and managed CMB Law Group, LLC, a Monrovia-based firm. Her advocacy focused on critical constitutional questions, the rights of women and girls, and initiatives aimed at strengthening governance within Liberia. She also contributed to legal education as a law professor at the University of Liberia's Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, the country's leading institution for legal training. In 2022, she achieved the top position in Liberia's Supreme Court Bar Examination, solidifying her reputation as one of the nation's most notable young legal professionals. Through her legal and philanthropic endeavors, she has actively championed girls' education, expanded access to justice, and encouraged political engagement among women and youth in Liberia.

Her political profile gained prominence during the 2023 Liberian general election, where she served as the vice-presidential candidate for the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), running alongside standard bearer Alexander B. Cummings. Her family also has deep political roots, as she is the daughter of Charles Brumskine, who founded the Liberty Party and was a former President pro tempore of the Liberian Senate. She was also involved in the Liberty Party's internal leadership dispute. This background as a Liberian judge ECOWAS brings a unique perspective to the court.

The induction ceremony was not merely a formality; it included a direct charge from President Faye to the new judges. He emphasized the critical need for them to uphold impartiality, independence, and credibility in their administration of justice across the West African bloc. This directive comes at a pivotal time when the region grapples with significant political, economic, security, and environmental challenges, making the court's role in maintaining stability and justice more crucial than ever.

President Faye underscored the importance of strengthening public confidence in the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice. The appointment of a Liberian jurist like Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine to this court is particularly significant, as it places a voice from Liberia on a body central to protecting fundamental rights and interpreting the legal framework of the West African community. This development aligns with Liberia's increasing engagement with regional institutions on matters of governance, human rights, the rule of law, and justice, reinforcing the court's vital function in West African regional justice.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note the new composition of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, particularly the appointment of Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine, as it may influence the court's interpretation and application of ECOWAS legal instruments, especially concerning constitutional law, human rights, and governance. This signals the court's continued role in regional legal matters and the need to monitor its evolving jurisprudence for cross-border legal strategies and compliance.

Source: Reporting on ECOWAS judicial appointments.