President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has been appointed the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), succeeding Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who held the position for two consecutive terms.
The announcement was made during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria.
In his acceptance speech, President Bio outlined four key priorities for his tenure: restoration of constitutional order and democratic governance, revitalisation of regional security cooperation, advancement of economic integration, and strengthening institutional credibility across the West African bloc.
His predecessor, President Tinubu, was first elected Chairman in July 2023 in Guinea-Bissau and re-elected in 2024 in Abuja. His tenure focused on stabilising the region amid multiple military coups and fostering development across member states. ECOWAS leaders had extended Tinubu’s leadership to ensure policy continuity on critical issues such as security, diplomacy, and regional economic growth.
President Bio now takes the reins at a time of ongoing political tensions and economic challenges in parts of West Africa, with expectations high for a renewed push toward democratic stability and regional cooperation.
