The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has elected Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, as its new chairman, succeeding Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, who held the position for the past year.
The leadership transition took place during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja on Sunday.
President Tinubu was first elected ECOWAS chairman in Guinea-Bissau on July 9, 2023, and re-elected a year later in Abuja. His tenure was marked by efforts to restore democratic governance in West Africa, following military coups and the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the bloc.
In his acceptance speech, President Bio pledged to focus on restoring constitutional order, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting unity within the region. He also highlighted revitalizing regional security cooperation, boosting economic integration, and enhancing the credibility of ECOWAS institutions as key priorities of his chairmanship.
