Senegal Assumes Leadership Roles as ECOWAS Leaders Conclude Summit in Freetown

The 69th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government concluded on Sunday in Freetown, with regional leaders announcing key leadership changes for the West African bloc.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been appointed as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, assuming the rotational leadership role previously held by his predecessor.

In a separate decision, the summit appointed General Birame Diop as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission. The Senegalese general, who has served as his country’s Minister of Defence, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, and Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General, will take office on September 1, 2026, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

The leadership transition comes as the 15-member regional bloc continues to address political, security, and economic challenges across West Africa. Further details on other summit decisions and communiqués are expected to be released by the Commission in the coming days.