Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been elected Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Faye was elected on Sunday, July 19, 2026, during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
He succeeds Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who assumed the chairmanship in June 2025 after taking over from Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu at the 67th Ordinary Session held in Abuja.
Faye takes over the leadership of the 15 member regional bloc at a crucial period as ECOWAS continues to confront growing security threats, unconstitutional changes of government and diplomatic tensions following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the organisation.
As the new chairman, the Senegalese president is expected to strengthen regional cooperation, promote peace and security, and sustain diplomatic efforts aimed at rebuilding relations with the three Sahel nations while preserving stability across West Africa.
His tenure is also expected to focus on deepening economic integration, advancing democratic governance, implementing institutional reforms and improving the bloc’s response to terrorism, violent extremism and cross border crime.
At 46, Faye is one of Africa’s youngest presidents and is widely regarded as part of a new generation of leaders seeking to promote transparency, accountability and greater youth participation in governance.
In his acceptance remarks, Faye pledged to work closely with fellow West African leaders to strengthen regional unity and ensure ECOWAS remains responsive to the evolving political, economic and security challenges facing the subregion.
His election comes as the regional bloc intensifies efforts to restore constitutional order in member states affected by military takeovers while pursuing dialogue with the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Source: Agency Report.
