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Former Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Francess Piagie Alghali, has officially taken up a major regional leadership position as the new Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Alghali assumed office on Monday, 31 August 2026, during a formal handover ceremony at the new ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
Her appointment marks a significant transition from national government service in Sierra Leone to one of the most strategically important positions within the West African regional bloc. As Commissioner for PAPS, she will be at the centre of ECOWAS’ efforts on political governance, peacebuilding, regional stability, conflict prevention and security.
She succeeds Ambassador Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, who served as Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security for four years.
Alghali joins a new ECOWAS executive management team headed by Senegal’s Birame Diop as President of the ECOWAS Commission, with Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi serving as Vice President.
The new leadership takes charge at a critical period for ECOWAS, as the regional organisation begins a new four-year administrative cycle following the conclusion of the tenure of President Omar Alieu Touray and other statutory appointees.
During the ceremony, outgoing President Touray reflected on the achievements and challenges of his administration and urged the incoming leadership to continue addressing the political and security challenges confronting West Africa.
New ECOWAS President Birame Diop, in his maiden address, pledged to strengthen regional integration, peace, unity, accountability and effective resource management. He identified democratic governance, regional stability, peace and security as key priorities for his administration.
“A new chapter has been opened for regional integration; let us all make it a chapter for peace and unity,” Diop said.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, members of the ECOWAS Parliament, Permanent Representatives Committee, development partners and other distinguished Community Citizens.
Sierra Leone was represented by its High Commissioner to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Dr. Julius F. Sandy, alongside officials of the Sierra Leone High Commission.
Alghali’s elevation to the ECOWAS Commission places a Sierra Leonean at the heart of regional efforts to respond to West Africa’s complex political, peace and security challenges, building on her previous experience in Sierra Leone’s foreign affairs administration.
