Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been chosen to lead the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, taking over the chairmanship of the regional bloc.
His appointment was announced during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority in Sierra Leone, where member states endorsed him as the organisation’s new chairman.
Faye succeeds Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who assumed the role in 2025 after President Bola Tinubu completed his tenure.
The Senegalese leader takes charge at a time when ECOWAS is facing major challenges, including worsening insecurity, democratic instability and the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the bloc.
As chairman, Faye is expected to strengthen collaboration among member states, encourage dialogue with the three departing countries and promote peace and stability across the region.
The 46-year-old is also expected to champion reforms aimed at improving governance, boosting accountability and expanding opportunities for young people to participate in leadership.
