The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has a new president following the assumption of office by Senegalese General Birame Diop.

Diop succeeds Omar Alieu Touray and will lead the commission for the 2026–2030 term.

The Senegalese general was appointed by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its 69th Ordinary Session in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in July.

Before taking the ECOWAS position, Diop served as Senegal’s Minister of the Armed Forces. He previously served as Chief of the General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces.

His new role places him at the centre of efforts to strengthen cooperation among ECOWAS member states.

The regional bloc is currently navigating security threats, political differences and the impact of the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Among the issues confronting the organisation are regional security, economic integration, free movement and efforts to deepen cooperation among member states.

Diop’s tenure is therefore expected to coincide with efforts to reinforce ECOWAS institutions and advance its regional integration agenda.