ECOWAS Opens New Chapter As Diop Takes Helm, Calls For Unity

ECOWAS Opens New Chapter As Diop Takes Helm, Calls For Unity

Princess-Ekwi Ajide

At a time when West African integration faces one of its most difficult tests, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has turned to a new leadership team with a clear message: unity must remain the foundation of the regional project.

General Birame Diop of Senegal on Monday assumed office as President of the ECOWAS Commission, succeeding Dr Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia, whose four-year tenure ended with a formal handover ceremony at the Commission’s new headquarters in Abuja.

In his inaugural address, Diop appealed to ECOWAS staff and stakeholders to rebuild cohesion and strengthen the effectiveness of the regional institution.

“My solemn appeal to all of you is to make way for unity and solidarity, based on mutual respect,” he said, stressing that the strength of regional integration would be judged by the Community’s ability to remain united and purposeful.

“A new chapter has been opened for West African integration. Let us work together to make it a chapter of peace, dignity and shared prosperity,” he added.

The leadership transition also saw Anthony Ogunjimi of Nigeria assume office as Vice President, succeeding Damtien Tchintchibidja of Togo.

Other new statutory appointees include Kalilou Sylla of Côte d’Ivoire as Commissioner for Internal Services; Francess Alghali of Sierra Leone as Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Dehpue Yenpea Zuo of Liberia as Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture; Amin Amidu Sulemani of Ghana as Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation; and Nassirou Bako-Arifari of Benin as Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs.

Also assuming new roles are Carla Maria Borges Bettencourt of Cabo Verde as Auditor-General, Palokinam Pitche of Togo as Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), and Mam Cherno Jallow as Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

For the outgoing president, the transition was an opportunity to reflect on a four-year stewardship.

Touray said his administration was leaving behind more than “memories, speeches and decisions”, but “a record” of institutional and regional accomplishments.

The ceremony featured the unveiling of an ECOWAS@50 Special Exclusive Publication by Africa Agenda Network in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission, the presentation of the Management Performance Compendium to Diop and the formal signing of handover notes by the outgoing and incoming leadership.

The transition therefore marks more than a change of office holders.

It places a new team at the centre of ECOWAS’ continuing effort to preserve regional cohesion, advance integration and respond to the political, security and economic pressures confronting West Africa.