Senegal's President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has been elected as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, assuming leadership of the West African regional bloc at a time of mounting political and security challenges.

Faye was elected during the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Sierra Leone.

The Senegalese leader succeeds Sierra Leone's President, Julius Maada Bio, who took over the chairmanship in June 2025 following the completion of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's two-term tenure as head of the regional body.

Tinubu formally handed over the leadership of ECOWAS to Bio during the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority held in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.

Faye assumes office at a critical juncture for the regional bloc as ECOWAS continues to grapple with worsening security threats, democratic instability and the lingering impact of the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the organisation.

As the new chairman, he is expected to strengthen diplomatic engagement aimed at rebuilding confidence within the bloc while sustaining dialogue with the three breakaway Sahel nations in pursuit of regional peace, stability and cooperation.

At 46, Faye represents a new generation of African leadership, with many observers expecting his administration to inject fresh energy into ECOWAS' reform agenda. His tenure is anticipated to prioritise good governance, accountability, institutional reforms, youth inclusion and the restoration of the bloc's credibility across the region.

His election also places Senegal at the forefront of regional diplomacy as ECOWAS seeks to reinforce unity and address the complex political and security issues confronting West Africa.