Senegalese President Diomaye Faye has been elected the new Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), taking over the leadership of the regional bloc at a crucial period for West Africa.
Faye’s emergence was confirmed during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where regional leaders gathered to deliberate on key political, security and economic issues affecting member states.
The Senegalese leader succeeded Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who assumed the rotating chairmanship after taking over from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at the 67th ECOWAS Summit in Abuja in June 2025.
Faye begins his tenure at a time when ECOWAS is grappling with rising security threats, democratic challenges and the continued withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the regional organisation.
Regional observers expect the new chairman to prioritise diplomatic engagement aimed at restoring dialogue with the three breakaway nations while strengthening unity among the remaining member states.
At 46, Faye becomes one of the youngest leaders to chair the regional bloc, bringing a new generation of leadership to an organisation seeking reforms in governance, accountability and regional cooperation.
His appointment is also expected to boost efforts to improve institutional credibility, promote youth participation in governance and accelerate initiatives designed to deepen economic integration across West Africa.
As chairman, Faye will oversee discussions on regional peace, security, democracy and economic development, while steering ECOWAS through one of the most challenging periods in its history.
His leadership also places Senegal at the forefront of major diplomatic engagements and strategic decisions expected to shape the future of the West African sub-region.
