UPDATED: SENEGAL PRESIDENT ELECTED NEW ECOWAS CHAIRMAN

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been elected as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), succeeding Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.

The election was announced on Friday during the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja. The leaders praised President Faye’s leadership qualities and expressed confidence in his ability to steer the regional bloc towards greater integration and development.

In his acceptance speech, President Faye pledged to work with member states to strengthen economic cooperation, promote peace and security, and accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) within the sub-region.

“I am honoured to serve as the new Chairman of ECOWAS. Together, we will build a more united, prosperous, and peaceful West Africa. Our focus will be on economic integration, youth empowerment, and addressing the security challenges facing our region,” Faye stated.

Outgoing Chairman, President Bola Tinubu, congratulated his Senegalese counterpart and expressed confidence that the regional body will continue to make progress under the new leadership. He also highlighted some of the achievements recorded during his tenure, including efforts to restore constitutional order in some member states and the promotion of intra-regional trade.

ECOWAS leaders used the summit to discuss key issues such as security, economic integration, and the free movement of people and goods. They also reviewed the progress of ongoing reforms within the organisation.

The election of President Faye as the new ECOWAS Chairman is seen as a positive development for the region, with many expecting a renewed focus on economic cooperation and the resolution of political crises in member states.

The next ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority is expected to be held in Dakar, Senegal, in 2027.