The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has entered a new leadership phase, with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal assuming the Chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, while General Birame Diop has been appointed President of the ECOWAS Commission, marking Senegal’s growing influence within the 15-member regional bloc.
General Diop, a retired four-star general and former Minister of the Armed Forces of Senegal, will officially assume office on 1 September 2026 at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. He succeeds Gambian diplomat Dr Omar Alieu Touray, whose tenure comes to an end after leading the Commission through one of the organisation’s most turbulent periods.
The twin appointments place Senegal at the centre of ECOWAS decision-making at a critical moment for the regional organisation, which continues to grapple with political instability, terrorism, economic integration challenges, and efforts to redefine relations with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger following their withdrawal from the bloc.
General Birame Diop brings decades of military, diplomatic and international peacebuilding experience to the role. Before serving as Senegal’s Minister of the Armed Forces, he was Chief of the General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces and later served as Military Adviser to successive United Nations Secretaries-General, where he played a key role in peacekeeping and conflict prevention initiatives. His appointment is widely viewed as a strategic move to strengthen ECOWAS’ response to regional security threats while advancing institutional reforms.
President Faye’s assumption of the ECOWAS chairmanship also reflects Senegal’s increasing prominence in regional affairs. Since taking office in April 2024, Faye has consistently advocated stronger regional cooperation, democratic governance and renewed dialogue with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), while calling for reforms that enhance ECOWAS’ credibility and effectiveness.
The appointments stem from the decision of ECOWAS leaders to entrust Senegal with the presidency of the Commission for the 2026–2030 mandate, the first time the country has held the position since the regional bloc was established in 1975.
Observers say the new leadership will face immediate priorities, including restoring regional unity, accelerating economic integration, improving security cooperation against violent extremism, and implementing institutional reforms aimed at strengthening ECOWAS’ relevance across West Africa.
