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President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has been elected as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, assuming leadership of West Africa’s key regional bloc during a time of heightened political and security challenges.
In his inaugural address, Bio outlined four strategic priorities: restoring constitutional order in member states, strengthening democratic governance, enhancing regional security, and deepening economic integration.
“We must redouble our efforts to support transitional governments and promote democratic resilience across the region,” Bio said, referencing recent coups and fragile transitions in several ECOWAS member countries.
Bio also emphasized the need to revamp the ECOWAS collective security framework, calling for coordinated action against terrorism, organized crime, and instability across the Sahel and coastal West Africa.
On the economic front, he advocated for greater regional trade, infrastructure development, and the promotion of cross-border value chains to drive job creation and inclusive growth.
Bio succeeds Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who held the position for the past year. His election comes at a critical time for ECOWAS, which has faced pressure to balance diplomacy and enforcement amid a wave of military takeovers and increasing public skepticism toward regional institutions.
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