SIERRA LEONE’S PRESIDENT JULIUS BIO SUCCEEDS TINUBU AS ECOWAS CHAIRMAN

President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has been appointed the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), taking over from Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who held the position for two consecutive terms.

The leadership transition was officially announced during the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The summit brought together leaders from across the region to assess the bloc’s achievements and set new priorities for deepening integration and stability.

President Tinubu’s tenure, which began in July 2023 in Guinea-Bissau and was renewed in 2024 in Abuja, was marked by a strong push for regional economic integration, coordinated security efforts, and the restoration of democratic governance in member states grappling with military coups.

Contrary to earlier reports suggesting that Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had emerged as chairman following a private meeting ahead of the summit, the official announcement confirmed President Bio as Tinubu’s successor.

In his inaugural address, President Bio pledged to focus on four critical areas: restoring constitutional order and reinforcing democratic institutions, enhancing regional security cooperation, accelerating economic integration, and strengthening institutional credibility across the sub-region. His assumption of office signals a new phase in ECOWAS leadership, as the bloc continues to navigate complex political transitions and pursue deeper socio-economic ties among member states.

President Tinubu, in his farewell remarks, reaffirmed his commitment to regional unity and expressed confidence in President Bio’s capacity to advance the collective goals of ECOWAS.