The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has formally welcomed a new leadership team, with Senegal’s General Birame Diop assuming office as President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The transition took place during a ceremony held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, on August 31, 2026, marking the end of the previous leadership’s four-year tenure.
Diop succeeds Dr. Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia, who completed his term. In the same ceremony, Nigeria’s Anthony Ogunjimi took over as Vice President from Togo’s Damtien Tchintchibidja.
The event also saw the unveiling of the ECOWAS@50 Special Exclusive Publication, produced by Africa Agenda Network in partnership with the Commission, the symbolic presentation of the Management Performance Compendium to the incoming President, and the signing of handover notes by outgoing and incoming appointees.
Other new statutory appointees include Dr. Kalilou Sylla (Côte d’Ivoire) as Commissioner for Internal Services; Francess Alghali (Sierra Leone) as Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Dehpue Yenpea Zuo (Liberia) as Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture; Amin Amidu Sulemani (Ghana) as Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation; Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari (Benin) as Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs; Carla Maria Borges Bettencourt (Cabo Verde) as Auditor-General for ECOWAS Institutions; Dr. Palokinam Pitche (Togo) as Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO); and Mam Cherno Jallow as Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
In his farewell address, Touray expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and highlighted the achievements of his tenure, stating that the outgoing leadership was leaving behind “not only memories, speeches and decisions” but also “a record” of institutional and regional accomplishments.
In his inaugural address, Diop called for renewed unity, solidarity, and mutual respect as the foundation for advancing regional integration and strengthening the Commission’s effectiveness.
He urged staff and stakeholders to work collectively to build a united, cohesive, and efficient institution capable of responding to the aspirations and challenges of the West African region.
“My solemn appeal to all of you is to make way for unity and solidarity, based on mutual respect,” he said, stressing that the strength of regional integration would be measured by the Community’s collective ability to remain united and purposeful.
“A new chapter has been opened for West African integration. Let us work together to make it a chapter of peace, dignity and shared prosperity,” he declared.
Source: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
1 Comment