Senegal’s President, Bassirou Faye, has been elected as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), taking over from Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio.
Faye was chosen to lead the regional bloc during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Sierra Leone on Sunday.
His election marks the end of President Julius Maada Bio’s tenure as chairman of the regional organisation.
Bio had assumed the ECOWAS chairmanship in June 2025 after succeeding Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, whose two-term leadership of the bloc concluded during the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority, held in Abuja, Nigeria.
At the meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu formally handed over the leadership of ECOWAS to President Bio, who has now passed the responsibility to President Faye.
BACKSTORY:
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a 15-member regional bloc established in 1975 to promote economic integration, regional cooperation, peace, and security among West African countries. Over the years, the organisation has expanded its role beyond economic matters, becoming a key player in conflict resolution, democracy promotion, election monitoring, and regional security.
The position of Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government rotates among member states. The chairman presides over meetings of the Authority, provides political leadership for the bloc, and represents ECOWAS in regional and international engagements. Although the role is largely rotational, the chairman often plays a crucial role in mediating political crises and coordinating responses to security and governance challenges across the region.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who assumed office as Senegal’s president in April 2024 following his election, takes over the ECOWAS chairmanship at a time when the region faces several pressing issues. These include rising insecurity linked to terrorism and violent extremism, economic challenges, unconstitutional changes of government, and the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc after prolonged disagreements over sanctions and political transitions.
Faye succeeds Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who took over the ECOWAS chairmanship from Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu in June 2025. During Tinubu’s tenure, ECOWAS dealt with some of the region’s most significant political and security challenges, including military coups in the Sahel and efforts to restore constitutional order in member states. Faye is expected to build on these efforts while working to strengthen regional cooperation, economic integration, and stability across West Africa.
