Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has been elected Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), taking over from Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio.
Faye was elected on Sunday during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Faye succeeds Bio, who assumed the chairmanship in June 2025 after President Bola Tinubu completed his two-term tenure as head of the regional bloc.
Tinubu formally handed over the leadership of ECOWAS to Bio during the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority, held in Abuja.
Regional Challenges Await New Chairman
Faye takes over the leadership of ECOWAS at a time the regional bloc continues to grapple with worsening security challenges, democratic instability and strained relations with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, which have withdrawn from the organisation.
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As chairman, he is expected to spearhead efforts to restore dialogue with the three Sahel countries while advancing initiatives aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and stability.
Focus on Reforms
At 46, Faye is one of Africa’s youngest presidents and is widely seen as representing a new generation of political leadership.
His emergence is expected to bring renewed attention to ECOWAS reforms, with a focus on governance, accountability, youth participation and strengthening the credibility of regional institutions.
His election also places Senegal at the forefront of key diplomatic and political engagements across West Africa.
New ECOWAS Commission President
During the summit, member states also appointed Biram Diop as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, succeeding Dr Omar Touray.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.