Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has emerged as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, succeeding 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. The summit brought together regional leaders to deliberate on key political, economic and security issues affecting West Africa.
Meanwhile, Biram Diop has been appointed the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, replacing Dr Omar Touray.
Reacting to his election, Faye wrote on his X account: “It is with humility that I welcome the trust placed in our country, called to the presiding presidency of ECOWAS. I thank my peers, Heads of State and Government, for this mark of trust and for the spirit of fraternity that presided over our work.”
His election comes at a critical juncture for the regional bloc, which is still battling terrorism, political instability, and the challenges of economic integration, while also redefining ties with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger after their withdrawal from ECOWAS.