Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio has been appointed Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), taking over from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 67th Ordinary Summit held Sunday in Abuja.
In his inaugural speech, Maada Bio laid out a bold vision for the region, pledging to confront West Africa’s complex crises with “urgency, unity and moral clarity.”
“Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility.
I assume it with full awareness of the challenges ahead and the complexity of this period,” said Maada Bio, as he praised his predecessor’s “unwavering commitment” to dialogue, economic revival, and peacebuilding during his tenure.
The newly appointed chairman described West Africa as “at a crossroads,” citing an array of threats including insecurity in the Sahel and coastal areas, cross-border crime, political instability, and widespread frustration among youth demanding justice and opportunity.
He warned of the compounding effects of climate change, food insecurity, inflation, and economic vulnerability exacerbated by over-indebtedness.
In response, Maada Bio outlined four key priorities for his leadership.
First, he called for restoring constitutional order and reinforcing democratic institutions by constructively engaging transitional governments and supporting member states in upholding the rule of law.
Second, he emphasized the need to revamp regional security cooperation through enhanced intelligence sharing and rapid response mechanisms to tackle cross-border threats.
On the economic front, the Sierra Leonean leader pushed for deepened integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), development of regional infrastructure, and strengthened value chains—particularly those inclusive of women and young people.
Finally, he pledged to reform ECOWAS itself, saying it must become “more transparent, more efficient, and closer to citizens” to rebuild trust in regional governance.
“The future of West Africa is not one of decline, but of possibility,” he declared. “Provided we act with courage, urgency, unity and moral clarity.”
Born on May 12, 1964, in Tihun, southern Sierra Leone, Maada Bio is a former military officer who led the country through a democratic transition in the 1990s.
After earning a master’s degree in international relations in the United States, he returned to politics and was elected president in 2018, then re-elected in 2023.
His presidency has been defined by progressive reforms, including the abolition of the death penalty, free education policies, gender equality initiatives, and an assertive anti-corruption agenda.
At 61, Maada Bio now takes the regional stage as ECOWAS faces rising instability and economic pressure—challenges he aims to address with renewed cooperation and institutional transformation.
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