New ECOWAS Chairman Pledges Regional Reconciliation and Institutional Reform

Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has been elected Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the conclusion of the 69th Ordinary Session held at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, succeeding Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio.
President Faye takes over the leadership of the regional bloc at a critical moment, with ECOWAS facing political, security, and governance challenges across West Africa.
In his acceptance address, President Faye pledged to make regional reconciliation, institutional reform, and stronger cooperation among Member States the hallmarks of his tenure. He identified renewed engagement with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger as one of his foremost priorities, emphasizing that dialogue remains the best path to rebuilding trust and preserving regional unity.
He noted that while ECOWAS has made remarkable progress in advancing regional integration, including the free movement of people and goods, the organization must undertake meaningful reforms to respond effectively to evolving governance and security challenges.
President Faye further stressed that preserving ECOWAS is vital to the vision of its founding fathers, warning that the disintegration of the bloc would deal a significant blow to Pan-Africanism and regional solidarity.
The outgoing Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, President Julius Maada Bio, reflected on his one-year tenure, expressing gratitude to his fellow Heads of State and Government for their unwavering support and cooperation. He said the achievements recorded during his chairmanship were the result of collective leadership and reaffirmed his confidence that the organisation would continue to promote peace, democracy, regional integration, and sustainable development.
President Bio urged Member States to remain united in addressing the region’s shared challenges, emphasizing that dialogue, solidarity, and collective action are essential to safeguarding the future of West Africa.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, commended President Bio for his leadership and commitment during his tenure, describing his chairmanship as one that strengthened regional cooperation despite complex political and security challenges. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the new Chairman and all Member States to implement the decisions adopted during the summit and advance the regional integration agenda.
The Commission President further called on Member States to renew their commitment to the ideals of ECOWAS, stressing that stronger institutions, enhanced cooperation, and sustained political dialogue remain essential for ensuring lasting peace, stability, and economic prosperity across the region.
President Faye’s election signals the beginning of a new chapter for ECOWAS, with expectations that his leadership will focus on restoring unity, strengthening the institution, and promoting inclusive dialogue to address the region’s pressing political and security concerns.