Senegalese president assumes ECOWAS chairmanship

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has assumed the chairmanship of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a one-year term.

Faye was elected chairman at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held on Sunday in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, succeeding Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who previously held the rotating position.

According to the Senegalese presidency, Faye described the regional economy as "resilient but still vulnerable" and West Africa as "a region weakened by terrorism," underscoring the need for institutional reform.

He urged the bloc to operationalize its regional counter-terrorism force, pool resources, strengthen its financial autonomy, and better protect communities affected by insecurity.

The one-day summit focused on the future of regional integration, the political and security situation in West Africa, institutional reform, and the financial sustainability of the regional bloc.

Birame Diop, Senegal's former minister of the armed forces and former chief of the general staff of the Senegalese armed forces, was also appointed as president of the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026-2030 term.

Diop will assume office on September 1 at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.