Africa
ECOWAS COURT CHALLENGED OVER COMMISSIONER’S CONTROVERSIAL APPOINTMENT
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has been thrust into a peculiar legal battle, with one of its own Presidents named as a respondent. The Registered Trustees of the Centre for Community Law, a Nigerian non-governmental organisation, have filed a suit before the Court against key ECOWAS institutions, alleging severe violations of the bloc’s governing treaty and appointment procedures.
In Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/66/25, dated 29th December 2025, the CCL sued the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, and the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. The case centres on the appointment and swearing-in of Dr. Habibu Yaya Bappah as Commissioner for Internal Services at the ECOWAS Commission.
The Applicants allege the Respondents acted unlawfully and in disregard of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, particularly by proceeding with the appointment while a related matter was pending before the same Court. Through its counsel, Olufemi Ubose, Esq., the Centre is asking the Court to determine several critical issues. These include whether it was lawful for the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to swear in Dr. Bappah at the instance of the Council of Ministers, and whether such action is permissible given that the same Court President is currently presiding over a connected case concerning the same office. The Applicant also questions whether the appointment complied with the Revised Treaty, especially as no fresh interview was conducted.
The core of the dispute lies in the ranking of candidates. The Centre contends that Dr. Bappah emerged third in the prior selection interview, behind Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, who came first, and Mrs. Chizoba Mojekwu, who came second. Citing the report of the ECOWAS Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee on the Selection and Evaluation of Statutory Appointees, the CCL argues that due process mandates the appointment of the next highest-ranked candidate, not the lowest-ranked among those shortlisted. “Due process requires that the next highest-ranked candidate be appointed, not the lowest-ranked among shortlisted candidates,” the suit argues, based on the Committee’s report.
The case is directly linked to an earlier suit, ECW/CCJ/APP/54/25, filed by Prof. Darma challenging his removal from office without a hearing. The Applicants expressed profound concern that the President of the ECOWAS Court, who is presiding over Prof. Darma’s matter, proceeded to swear in a successor. The CCL describes this action as “a breach of judicial integrity and a violation of the Court’s governing protocols.”
Among the reliefs sought, the Centre asks the Court to declare Dr. Bappah’s appointment and swearing-in unlawful, to hold that the President of the ECOWAS Court violated his oath of office, and to rule that the process breached ECOWAS rules on merit-based recruitment. The Applicants also seek an order for either the appointment of the second-ranked candidate, Mrs. Mojekwu, or the conduct of a fresh interview, alongside guarantees of non-repetition.
The Centre issued a stern warning about the broader implications. It stated that allowing the Respondents’ actions to stand “would further erode public confidence in ECOWAS institutions and undermine the rule of law within the Community.”
The suit was filed by Olufemi Ubose, Esq., on behalf of the Centre for Community Law, an organisation described as committed to promoting the rights of ECOWAS citizens and upholding the rule of law within the Community.
At least 13 people have been confirmed dead in Malawi following days of heavy rainfall that triggered widespread flooding across several parts of the country, authorities have said.
According to disaster management officials, the relentless downpour caused rivers to overflow, sweeping away homes, farmlands, and critical infrastructure. Many families have been displaced, with emergency responders working to rescue stranded residents and provide temporary shelter.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in Malawi reported that the floods have affected multiple districts, particularly low-lying communities that are prone to seasonal flooding. Several people remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could increase as search and rescue operations continue.
Local authorities say roads and bridges have been severely damaged, complicating relief efforts and cutting off access to some rural areas. Humanitarian agencies have begun mobilizing aid, including food supplies, clean water, and medical assistance for affected communities.
Weather experts have warned that more rainfall is expected in the coming days, heightening the risk of further flooding and landslides. The government has urged residents in vulnerable areas to relocate to higher ground as a precaution.
Flooding is a recurring challenge in Malawi during the rainy season, often worsened by poor drainage systems, deforestation, and the impacts of climate change.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to assess the full scale of the damage and coordinate long-term recovery plans for affected communities.
*South Africa’s Water Crisis Worsens as Criminal Gangs Exploit Shortages
By Ezinne Obah
South Africans are raising concerns that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the country’s deepening water crisis, turning a basic service failure into a growing public safety threat.
In parts of Johannesburg, residents say prolonged water outages; some lasting over a month, have left communities desperate, creating an opportunity for organised criminal networks to step in and profit. Locals report that gangs are exploiting the shortages by controlling access to water supplies and forcing residents to pay for services that should be publicly provided.
The crisis, driven by ageing infrastructure, poor maintenance, and years of underinvestment, has already strained daily life. But the emergence of so-called “water mafias” has added a dangerous dimension, with reports suggesting that some criminal groups manipulate supply systems or insert themselves into distribution channels for financial gain.
Authorities have acknowledged the presence of organised networks linked to water tanker operations. Law enforcement officials say these groups sometimes demand payments from contractors or interfere with water delivery systems, further complicating efforts to provide relief to affected communities.
The growing crisis has triggered protests in several areas, with residents demanding reliable access to water, a right guaranteed under South Africa’s constitution. The situation has also intensified political pressure on the government, which has already identified organised crime and failing service delivery as major national challenges.
Analysts warn that if the crisis continues, it could deepen inequality, as poorer communities; unable to afford alternative water sources, remain the most vulnerable to both shortages and exploitation.
The developments highlight how infrastructure failures, when left unresolved, can create opportunities for criminal activity, turning essential services into commodities controlled by illicit networks.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take steps toward easing tensions following high-level talks held in Washington, D.C., signalling a renewed push to stabilise one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
According to a joint statement released after the March 17–18 meeting, both countries committed to “concrete steps” aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo and advancing the implementation of a previously signed peace agreement.
The talks, hosted by the United States, come amid escalating violence in eastern Congo, where fighting involving the M23 rebel group has continued despite earlier peace efforts. The conflict has strained relations between Kinshasa and Kigali, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of backing the rebels, an allegation Rwanda denies.
As part of the new understanding, both sides are expected to take measures addressing key security concerns, including the withdrawal of forces from contested areas and action against armed groups operating along their shared border.
The renewed diplomatic push follows mounting international pressure, including recent U.S. sanctions on Rwandan military officials over their alleged involvement in the conflict.
Despite the agreement, analysts caution that the path to lasting peace remains uncertain, as previous ceasefire deals have repeatedly collapsed amid continued fighting and mutual distrust.
Eastern Congo remains one of the world’s most complex conflict zones, with armed groups competing for control of mineral-rich territories, contributing to a prolonged humanitarian crisis.