Senegal’s Gen. Birame Diop takes over as ECOWAS Commission President

Senegal’s retired Air Force General, Birame Diop, has been sworn in as the new President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission.

Diop took over from Dr Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia, who served as President of the commission for four years after assuming office in 2022.

The handover ceremony took place on Monday at the ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja, where the outgoing and incoming presidents signed the official handover notes. Certificates and gifts were also presented during the ceremony.

Diop previously served as Senegal’s Minister of Defence from 2024 until June 2026. Before his ministerial appointment, he was Chief of the General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces.

He later served as a military adviser to the United Nations Department of Peace Operations.

His appointment comes as ECOWAS continues to face major regional challenges, including political instability and security concerns across West Africa.

Earlier in his career, he served with the UN peacekeeping mission in Bunia, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Other members of the new ECOWAS Commission management team include Anthony Ogunjimi, Vice-President.

The new commissioners are Amin Amidu Sulemani (CIED); Dehpue Yenpea Zuo (CEAAs); Arifari Nassirou Bako (CHDSAs); Mrs Frances Piagie Alghali (CPAPS); and Dr Kalilou Sylla (CISs).

The new statutory appointees are Mrs Carla Maria Borges Bettencourt, Auditor-General; Dr Palokinam Pitche, Director-General, West African Health Organisation (WAHO); and Mam Cherno Jallow, Director-General, Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

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