Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been elected Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on Sunday. He succeeds Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who previously chaired the 15-member regional bloc.
Historic Election of Birame Diop as ECOWAS Commission President
In a milestone for Senegal, Birame Diop, the country's former Minister of the Armed Forces, was elected President of the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026–2030 term. This marks the first time since ECOWAS was established in 1975 that a Senegalese national has been elected to lead the Commission. Diop succeeds Gambian diplomat Omar Touray, who has served as President of the ECOWAS Commission since 2022.
Faye's Term and Priorities
As Chairman of ECOWAS, Faye will oversee the affairs of the regional bloc for a one-year term. In a statement, the Senegalese presidency said Faye's tenure would focus on collective security, economic sovereignty, and remaining faithful to the vision of the founding fathers of ECOWAS.
"It is with humility that I welcome the trust placed in our country, called to the presiding presidency of ECOWAS," Faye said. "I thank my peers, Heads of State and Government, for this mark of trust and for the spirit of fraternity that presided over our work. I congratulate General of the Army Birame Diop, elected to the presidency of the Commission, and assure him of my full support."
Faye's Vision for a United West Africa
Faye also praised ECOWAS for the confidence reposed in Senegal and pledged to work towards a more reconciled and united West Africa during his tenure. The election underscores Senegal's growing influence in regional affairs, with both the chairmanship and the commission presidency now held by Senegalese officials.
