Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio assumes leadership of ECOWAS

Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio has been appointed the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, succeeding Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose two-term tenure has officially concluded.

The transition of leadership took place during the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority, hosted in Abuja, Nigeria.

The appointment of President Bio defied earlier rumours suggesting that Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had been chosen during a closed-door meeting ahead of the summit.

In his acceptance speech, President Bio outlined four key priorities for his tenure: restoring constitutional governance and strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing regional security collaboration, advancing economic integration, and reinforcing the credibility of ECOWAS institutions.

President Tinubu was initially elected Chairman in Guinea-Bissau on July 9, 2023, and secured a second term a year later in Abuja, as leaders sought to maintain momentum on critical regional issues such as security, political reconciliation, and development.