ECOWAS announces major staff shake up

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has elected a new president of its Community Court of Justice.



Justice Jérôme Traoré from Burkina Faso was elected as the new president on Saturday in Nigeria’s capital Abuja.

This is according to a press statement issued by the court through Mr Sunny Ugoh, the head of the information department of ECOWAS.

According to Mr Ugon, Jérôme took over from Justice Maria Do Céu Silva who just served out her two-year tenure.

“Justice Traore, who becomes the first male president of the 15-year-old court, will serve a two-year term with other members of the bureau,” the ECOWAS spokesman said.

“The new president, who replaces Justice Maria, whose two-year term ends today, was until his election the Dean of the Court.”

According to Mr Ugoh, Justice Micah Wright from Liberia and Justice Hameye Mahalmadane from Mali will now serve as the court’s vice-president and dean respectively.#

The newly elected justices will be responsible for the court’s programmes and provide policy guidelines on how to manage the court.

ECOWAS is comprised of 15 West African countries. It was founded in 1975 with the aim of improving integration and cooperation between the various states in the region.