Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has pledged to strengthen regional unity, peace and economic integration after assuming the chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the close of the bloc’s 69th Ordinary Session in Lungi.
President Faye took over the leadership of the regional body from Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio during the closing ceremony, following a decision of the Authority reached in a closed session.
In his inaugural address, President Faye paid tribute to his predecessor, thanking President Bio for his “constant efforts in favour of stability, cohesion and the consolidation of regional integration” during his tenure as Chair.
He said he accepted the responsibility with a clear understanding of the challenges facing the sub-region and pledged to work with fellow Heads of State to uphold the vision of ECOWAS’ founding fathers and strengthen cooperation among member states.
Reflecting on ECOWAS’ 50-year journey, President Faye said the organisation must preserve its legacy while adapting to emerging challenges, including terrorism, political instability and unconstitutional changes of government, which he said continue to undermine regional development and integration.
He called for stronger institutions, renewed commitment to dialogue, effective conflict prevention mechanisms and a capable regional workforce to improve the performance of ECOWAS institutions.
President Faye also urged the ECOWAS Commission to pursue greater efficiency and deliver tangible results for citizens across the region, saying “the trust of our people in their leaders must be restored,” while reaffirming his commitment to advancing the bloc’s founding ideals.
Earlier, outgoing Chair President Julius Maada Bio said the summit had reaffirmed member states’ commitment to peace, constitutional governance and regional integration. “The true measure of our work will be in implementation,” he said, urging leaders to translate the summit’s decisions into tangible improvements in the lives of West Africans.
During the closing ceremony, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama commended President Bio’s leadership, describing the discontinuation of the criminal proceedings against former President Ernest Bai Koroma and his return from exile as a significant act of reconciliation. “History will remember you for the magnanimity of reconciliation,” President Mahama said.