Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been elected Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Faye emerged as the new chairman on Sunday during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone. He succeeds Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who previously led the regional bloc.
In another landmark development for Senegal, the country’s former Minister of the Armed Forces, General Birame Diop, was elected President of the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026–2030 term. The appointment marks the first time since the regional body was established in 1975 that a Senegalese national has been elected to head the Commission.
Diop takes over from Gambian diplomat Omar Touray, who has served as President of the ECOWAS Commission since 2022.
As ECOWAS Chairman, President Faye will lead the affairs of the 15-member regional bloc for a one-year term.
Reacting to his election, Faye expressed gratitude to his fellow West African leaders for the confidence reposed in Senegal.
“It is with humility that I welcome the trust placed in our country, called to the presiding presidency of ECOWAS,” he said.
“I thank my peers, Heads of State and Government, for this mark of trust and for the spirit of fraternity that presided over our work. I congratulate General of the Army Birame Diop, elected to the presidency of the Commission, and assure him of my full support.”
According to a statement from the Senegalese presidency, Faye’s tenure will focus on strengthening collective security, advancing economic sovereignty and remaining committed to the vision of ECOWAS’ founding fathers.
The Senegalese leader also pledged to work towards building a more united, stable and reconciled West Africa during his time as chairman of the regional bloc.