OHADA Strengthens Its Judicial Bench and Reaffirms Commitment to African Legal Integration
OHADA has taken a fresh step forward in its institutional renewal, with the Council of Ministers electing two new judges to the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA) and reaffirming the Organisation's broader reform agenda.
Two New Judges Join the CCJA
As part of the ongoing renewal of the CCJA bench, the Council of Ministers elected:
- Ms. Hélène Sarr, a magistrate from Senegal
- Mr. Edmond Pierre-Jacques Djama, a magistrate from Côte d'Ivoire
Both judges will serve a single, non-renewable seven-year term. A third seat on the Court remains vacant, and the Council has launched a fresh call for applications to fill it — with a specific appeal for qualified women to apply, underscoring OHADA's push for greater gender representation on the bench.
A Renewed Push for Reform
Closing out its deliberations, the Council of Ministers restated its resolve to carry forward reforms aimed at strengthening OHADA's governance, transparency, institutional performance, and long-term financial sustainability.
The decisions taken in Lomé signal the continued commitment of Member States to positioning OHADA as Africa's foremost framework for legal integration — a foundation for building investor confidence, sharpening the competitiveness of member economies, and advancing sustainable development across the OHADA region.
Backing from the Highest Levels
Following the session, Council members — together with OHADA's Permanent Secretary, Professor Mayatta Ndiaye Mbaye — were received by H.E. Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Republic of Togo and current Chair of the Conference of Heads of State and Government.
During the audience, the Chair reviewed the outcomes of the ministerial session and offered strategic direction on the key challenges ahead for the Organisation.
Source: Directorate of Legal Affairs, Documentation and Communication – OHADA
