President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has been elected as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
He succeeds Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who held the position for the past two years.
The announcement was made during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority, held on Sunday in Abuja.
In his inaugural address, Bio outlined four strategic priorities for his tenure: restoring constitutional order, strengthening democracy, revitalising regional security, advancing economic integration, and reinforcing institutional credibility across the bloc.
“As Chair, I will prioritise four key areas: first, restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy.
“We must engage transitional governments constructively and support member states in building stronger democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law.
“Second, revitalising regional security cooperation, we must overhaul our collective security architecture, from intelligence sharing to rapid response, to confront new threats with unity and resolve.
“Third, unlocking economic integration. The ECOWAS liberalisation scheme, regional infrastructure, and cross-border value chains must become engines of jobs, trade, and resilience. Fourth, building institutional credibility.
“ECOWAS must reform itself to become more transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its people,” he said.
Earlier, President Tinubu officially handed over the mantle of leadership during the high-level meeting, which brought together heads of state and key regional stakeholders.
“As I now hand over the mantle of leadership to my great friend and dear brother, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and optimism for the future of West Africa.
“I remain confident that with the continued cooperation of all its members, ECOWAS will scale greater heights in our collective pursuit of peace, security, stability, and prosperity for our people and our region,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu was first elected as ECOWAS Chairman on July 9, 2023, during a summit in Guinea-Bissau.
He was re-elected in 2024 in Abuja, following a unanimous decision by member states to uphold continuity and stability in the region’s leadership. (NAN)
Bola Tinubu demands activation of ECOWAS Standby Force
Meanwhile president Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday reflected on the delayed activation of the Standby Force floated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He tasked leaders of the regional to move decisively from “concept to operational reality” in the region’s battle against terrorism and transnational crimes.
Speaking during his opening address at the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, President Tinubu, before bowing out as chairman, underscored the urgent need for collective security measures amid rising insecurity across the sub-region.
Tinubu said: “I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired. The ECOWAS Standby Force must move from concept to operational reality”.
He warned that security threats facing West Africa are no longer confined within borders and are increasingly driven by agile, dangerous, and borderless networks.
“No single nation can, therefore, address these challenges alone. We must strengthen coordination, amplify political will, and prioritise a collective approach to secure our region”, he stressed.
President Tinubu used the platform to highlight key milestones achieved under his chairmanship, including progress in regional military logistics.
He pointed to the completion of the ECOWAS Military Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, as a significant step toward building a responsive security architecture.
“With the depot’s completion, Nigeria is committing itself to sea-lift and air-lift arrangements with ECOWAS. Last February in Addis Ababa, Nigeria signed the Sixth Agreement with the African Union to reinforce this commitment”, he announced.
He also reflected on diplomatic efforts to reintegrate Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which have been suspended from the bloc following military takeovers.
While acknowledging the setbacks, Tinubu expressed cautious optimism.
“Under my chairmanship, I deployed all diplomatic means to engage and dialogue with our brothers in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. I am confident that before too long, they may return to the family,” he said.
On the economic front, Tinubu reiterated the importance of regional cooperation and integration, lamenting the persistently low levels of intra-regional trade despite the bloc’s potential.
“Our intra-regional trade remains low, even as we possess the potential to be an economic powerhouse. We must create the enabling environment, empower the private sector, and create the conditions necessary for innovation to flourish”, Tinubu noted.
He urged speedy implementation of key infrastructure projects, identifying the West African Gas Pipeline, West African Power Pool, and Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Highway as critical levers for boosting development and economic connectivity across member states.
“Our future demands action, not hesitation,” he declared, reinforcing his belief that regional peace, prosperity, and security can only be achieved through collective will and purpose-driven leadership.
