Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, has officially assumed the role of Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), succeeding Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The leadership transition was confirmed during the 67th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS, held on Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria.
Bio, a former military head of state who led Sierra Leone briefly in 1996, re-entered politics as a civilian and was elected president in 2018. He secured a second term in office in 2023.
His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for ECOWAS, which is facing rising insecurity and political upheaval. Three member nations — Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — are currently governed by military juntas and have exited the bloc to establish the Alliance of Sahel States.
With Bio expected to serve a one-year term, attention will be focused on whether he can navigate these challenges and foster dialogue with the breakaway states.
Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama was also present at the Abuja summit before returning to Accra.
