The ECOWAS Court has dismissed a suit filed by its Ivorian employee, Mariame Kone-Toure, seeking to terminate the appointment of her Gambian colleague, Ama Savage.

Ms Kone-Toure had served in an acting capacity from February 2023, as the head of administration and human resources division of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

She later applied for the substantive position when it was advertised in May 2023.

However, following the recruitment interview conducted in January 2024, Savage was appointed in October 2024 instead.

In her submission before the court, Ms Kone-Toure claimed that the selection process violated the principles of fairness and non-discrimination enshrined in the ECOWAS Staff Regulations.

The applicant had argued that, although she was one of the top candidates, the Management Succession Committee only recommended Ms Savage as the sole candidate for the substantive position.

According to her claims in the suit marked No ECW/CCJ/APP/32/24, the process contrasts with similar recruitments in other ECOWAS institutions, where multiple top candidates are usually recommended.

However, ECOWAS had, in its submission before the court through its counsel, argued that Ms Savage was the most qualified candidate for the position.

Delivering judgment, Justice Dupe Atoki, on behalf of a three-member panel of the court presided over by Justice Sengu Koroma, the president of the court, dismissed all the Ivorian’s claims.

The panel, which also had Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara as a member, upheld ECOWAS’ submission that Ms Savage was the most qualified candidate.

The court declared that Ms Kone-Toure’s claims were unsubstantiated, adding that her non-selection was not in any way a violation of her rights.

The court further held that Ms Savage’s appointment complied with ECOWAS Staff Regulations, and the applicant did not provide evidence of discrimination or procedural irregularity against her colleague’s appointment.

(NAN)