Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been elected Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), taking over the leadership of the regional bloc for the next year.
Faye emerged as chairman on Sunday during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, succeeding Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio.
The summit also marked another diplomatic milestone for Senegal as former Minister of the Armed Forces, General Birame Diop, was elected President of the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026–2030 term. His election is the first time Senegal has secured the commission’s top position since the regional bloc was established in 1975.
Diop succeeds Gambian diplomat Omar Touray, who has led the commission since 2022.
As ECOWAS chairman, the 46-year-old Faye will steer the affairs of the 15-member regional organisation for the next year. According to the Senegalese presidency, his tenure will focus on strengthening collective security, advancing economic sovereignty, and upholding the vision of ECOWAS’ founding leaders.
Reacting to his election, Faye expressed appreciation to his fellow West African leaders for the confidence reposed in Senegal.
“I welcome with humility the trust placed in our country to assume the rotating presidency of ECOWAS,” he said.
“I thank my peers, Heads of State and Government, for this mark of confidence and the spirit of fraternity that guided our deliberations.”
Faye also congratulated General Birame Diop on his election as President of the ECOWAS Commission, assuring him of Senegal’s full support.
The new ECOWAS chairman reaffirmed his commitment to promoting unity and reconciliation across West Africa, pledging to work towards a more cohesive and prosperous region.
