President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially handed over the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States to his Sierra Leonean counterpart, President Julius Maada Bio.
The transition occurred on Sunday during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
President Tinubu’s two-term tenure as ECOWAS Chairman, which began with his election in Guinea-Bissau on July 9, 2023, came to a close during the summit.
He was re-elected in 2024 to consolidate gains in regional security, peacebuilding, and economic development.
Contrary to speculations that Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye might emerge as the new Chair during a closed-door meeting before the session, the mantle of leadership was instead passed to President Bio.
In his acceptance speech, President Bio outlined his agenda for the regional bloc, pledging to focus on four key priorities: restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy, revitalising regional security cooperation, fostering economic integration, and enhancing institutional credibility within ECOWAS.
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During the session, President Tinubu urged West African leaders to expedite the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, emphasising the need for a more proactive response to insecurity and unconstitutional changes of government in the region.
