Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been elected Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), while former Senegalese Minister of the Armed Forces, General Birame Diop, emerged as President of the ECOWAS Commission in a landmark diplomatic success for the country.
Faye was elected on Sunday during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
He succeeds Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who previously chaired the regional bloc.
In a parallel development, General Birame Diop was elected President of the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026–2030 term, replacing Gambian diplomat Omar Touray, who has served in the position since 2022.
Diop’s election marks the first time since ECOWAS was established in 1975 that Senegal has produced the President of the Commission.
As Chairman of ECOWAS, Faye, 46, will lead the regional organisation for a one-year term, overseeing efforts to strengthen regional integration, promote peace and security, and deepen economic cooperation among member states.
In a statement issued by the Senegalese Presidency, Faye said he accepted the responsibility with humility and expressed appreciation to his fellow West African leaders for the confidence reposed in him.
“It is with humility that I welcome the trust placed in our country, called to the presiding presidency of ECOWAS,” he said.
“I thank my peers, Heads of State and Government, for this mark of trust and for the spirit of fraternity that presided over our work.”
Faye also congratulated General Birame Diop on his election as President of the ECOWAS Commission, assuring him of Senegal’s full support during his tenure.
“I congratulate General of the Army Birame Diop, elected to the presidency of the Commission, and assure him of my full support,” the Senegalese leader stated.
According to the presidency, Faye’s leadership will focus on strengthening collective security, advancing economic sovereignty and remaining faithful to the vision of ECOWAS’ founding fathers.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to fostering unity within the sub-region, pledging to work towards a more reconciled and integrated West Africa.
The twin victories by Senegal are widely seen as reinforcing the country’s growing influence within regional diplomacy at a time ECOWAS continues to confront security challenges, economic integration issues and relations with member states that have withdrawn from the bloc.