ECOWAS Chooses Senegal’s Faye to Lead Regional Bloc
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been elected the new Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
His emergence comes as the regional bloc seeks to address growing security concerns, political instability and the challenge of rebuilding ties with member states that recently withdrew from the organisation.
Faye was elected during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority held in Sierra Leone on Sunday.
He succeeds President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, who assumed the chairmanship after taking over from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in June 2025.
As chairman, the Senegalese leader will oversee efforts to strengthen regional cooperation at a time when ECOWAS is facing one of the most demanding periods in its history.
The bloc continues to confront terrorism, unconstitutional changes of government and the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Analysts expect one of Faye’s immediate priorities to be restoring dialogue with the three Sahel countries while advancing initiatives aimed at preserving peace, democratic governance and economic integration across West Africa.
At 46, Faye is among the continent’s youngest presidents. His election is widely seen as an opportunity to inject fresh ideas into the regional body’s reform agenda, particularly in the areas of accountability, institutional renewal and youth participation.
His appointment also places Senegal in a leading diplomatic role as ECOWAS navigates complex political and security issues affecting the sub-region.
The summit also confirmed the appointment of Biram Diop as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, replacing Dr Omar Touray.
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