Janet Samuel
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has emerged as the new chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, succeeding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria.
The announcement was made during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority held on Sunday in Abuja, with regional leaders and key stakeholders in attendance.
President Tinubu, who had held the position since July 2023, officially handed over leadership to Bio at the summit.
In his acceptance speech, President Bio outlined four key priorities for his tenure: restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy; revitalising regional security cooperation; unlocking economic integration; and strengthening the institutional credibility of ECOWAS.
“We must engage transitional governments constructively and support member states in building stronger democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law,” Bio said, stressing the importance of unity in confronting regional threats and boosting economic resilience.
President Tinubu, in his farewell remarks, expressed confidence in the future of the regional bloc under Bio’s leadership, stating, “I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and optimism for the future of West Africa.”
Tinubu was first elected ECOWAS Chairman on July 9, 2023, in Guinea-Bissau and was re-elected in 2024. His tenure was marked by efforts to maintain regional stability and uphold democratic governance across member states.
