General Birame Diop Assumes Office as ECOWAS Commission President Amidst Ceremony in Abuja

Abuja: The ECOWAS Commission recently organized a significant welcome and send-off ceremony for both incoming and outgoing statutory appointees and Heads of ECOWAS Institutions, marking the end of a four-year tenure for the former leadership. His Excellency, General Birame Diop of Senegal, officially took office as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, succeeding H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia. Additionally, H.E. Mr. Anthony Ogunjimi of Nigeria succeeded H.E. Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja of Togo as Vice President. According to African Press Organization, the event, held at the Commission's new headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, featured the unveiling of the ECOWAS@50 Special Exclusive Publication by Africa Agenda Network in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission. Among the highlights were the symbolic presentation of the Management Performance Compendium to the incoming President and the formal handover notes signing by both outgoing and incoming Presidents, Vice Presidents, and statutory appoint ees. The incoming statutory appointees include Dr. Kalilou Sylla from Côte d'Ivoire as Commissioner for Internal Services, Mrs. Francess Piagie Alghali from Sierra Leone as Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Mr. Dehpue Yenpea Zuo from Liberia as Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. Other key appointments are Mr. Amin Amidu Sulemani from Ghana as Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari from Benin as Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Ms. Carla Maria Borges Bettencourt from Cabo Verde as Auditor-General for ECOWAS Institutions, Dr. Palokinam Pitche from Togo as Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), and Mr. Mam Cherno Jallow as Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). The outgoing statutory appointees included Dr. Habibu Bappah, Dr. Kalilou Sylla from Ivory Coast, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr from Senegal, Mr. Joao Alage M amadu Fadia from Guinea-Bissau, and Dr. Melchior Aïssi from Benin Republic. In his farewell address, outgoing President H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray expressed gratitude for his tenure, highlighting the accomplishments and regional achievements under his leadership. In his inaugural speech, General Birame Diop emphasized unity, solidarity, and mutual respect as vital for advancing regional integration and strengthening the ECOWAS Commission's effectiveness. He encouraged collaboration among staff and stakeholders to build a cohesive and efficient institution, capable of addressing the aspirations and challenges of the West African region. Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, urged the new ECOWAS leadership to focus on implementing regional programs that yield tangible and sustainable results. He emphasized the importance of initiatives that enhance citizens' lives, strengthen regional integration, and contribute to peace and security across West Africa. Ambassador Enik anolaiye reiterated Nigeria's commitment to supporting ECOWAS, stressing that the Community's effectiveness will be measured by its ability to translate policies and programs into concrete improvements for West Africans. As ECOWAS embarks on a new phase, there is a clear call for regional integration to achieve measurable outcomes, reaffirming the promise of a more connected and prosperous West Africa.