Alpha Kanu Explains Why Bio Did Not Seek ECOWAS Chairmanship Extension

Presidential Spokesperson Alpha Kanu has dismissed claims that President Julius Maada Bio campaigned for a second term as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), explaining that the regional leadership position is not determined through a competitive electoral process.

Speaking during a media interview, Kanu said President Bio, as the outgoing ECOWAS Chairman, did not undertake any campaign to retain the position. He explained that the chairmanship is decided through consultations and consensus among member states, based on mutual agreement among regional leaders.

Kanu further stated that President Bio was aware that the chairmanship would transition to another leader, noting that leadership changes within ECOWAS are guided by established principles of rotation, dialogue, and consensus.

He added that the emergence of Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as the new ECOWAS Chairman sends a positive message across the sub-region, particularly among Francophone member states.

According to Kanu, the transition demonstrates ECOWAS’s commitment to inclusiveness and balanced representation, while addressing perceptions that leadership of the regional bloc has historically been dominated by Anglophone countries.

President Bio formally handed over the ECOWAS chairmanship to President Faye during the closing session of the 69th Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Lungi, Sierra Leone.