The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has emerged as the new Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government as Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu’s two-term leadership of the bloc comes to an end.
President Tinubu handed over the mantle of leadership to President Bio at the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority held in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
This was contrary to earlier speculations that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal was elected during a private meeting held prior to the commencement of the session.
President Bio, in his inaugural speech, promised to prioritise four key areas, namely: restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy, revitalising regional security cooperation, unlocking economic integration and building institutional credibility.
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President Tinubu was first elected to the position in Guinea-Bissau on July 9, 2023 and he was re-elected a year later in Abuja, following the decision of the leaders to ensure continuity and consistency in meeting targets on security, reconciliation, and development.
In his handover speech, Tinubu thanked the leaders for the confidence reposed in him twice as the chairman of the Authority.
He said, “As we look forward to the future of West Africa, I remain positive, that with the continued cooperation of all its members, ECOWAS will scale over greater heights in our collective pursuit of peace, security, stability and prosperity for our people and for our region.
“In the course of the past two years, we have faced complex regional challenges, political transition, and security trends. I thank everyone of you.”
He urged his colleagues to remain vigilant and responsive to the evolving need of the West African people.
“Let us deepen the cooperation upon diplomatic principle and foster inclusive growth that leaves none behind, especially our youth, women and vulnerable population who remain central to the future of our region.
“Our organisation must continue to strike a fine balance between its core original mandate of economic integration and the complex political security and government challenges, including democratic values in our region.
“Economic integration cannot be superimposed on an untenable political environment. That is why we must remain steadfast in our resolve to rise to this and emerging challenges,” he said.
