The Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has handed over the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio.
The handover, a regular rotational process, transpired on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025, during the 67th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit in Abuja, Nigeria.
President Bio’s election to the one-year term comes at a critical time for ECOWAS, which is currently navigating its most severe challenges in decades.
West Africa has seen a concerning rise in military takeovers in recent years. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which are now under military rule, have formally withdrawn from ECOWAS, creating a significant split within the bloc and growing insecurity, and some political analysts suggest ECOWAS leaders likely selected President Bio due to his unique background and stated priorities, which fit the current challenges.
As a retired brigadier general, President Bio has direct experience in security matters. This is seen as important for improving ECOWAS’s ability to respond to security threats and strengthen its regional forces.
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