The new chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, has his job cut out in the pursuit of peace, economic cooperation, stability, and human flourishing in the sub-region. His predecessor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who formally relinquished power as ECOWAS chairman on June 22, 2025, had a tough time stabilising the organisation, amidst the emergence of a faction among members, and heightened insecurity within and around the community. Tinubu’s two successive tenures at the sub-regional body, no doubt, were politically eventful.
At the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority held recently in Abuja, President Tinubu—whose stewardship coincided with the Golden Jubilee of the regional body—acknowledged that his leadership was marked by turbulent times, including political transitions and persistent security threats. Nonetheless, he praised the resilience and commitment that defined his tenure as ECOWAS Chairman.
There is no doubt that President Tinubu’s two-term tenure as ECOWAS Chairman was marked by robust efforts in several areas: activation of security forces and substantial humanitarian support, streamlining of trade systems and ambitious infrastructure projects, strengthening of democratic frameworks and oversight institutions, and increased investment in health, education, climate, and agriculture.
Amid growing insecurity in the West African sub-region, Tinubu’s ECOWAS called for the activation of a standby military force, with initial funding of $4 million, to support frontline states in counter-terrorism operations. ECOWAS also strengthened peer-review and election observation mechanisms, contributing to peaceful transitions in Liberia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia.
Under Tinubu’s leadership, ECOWAS finalised the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline agreement, linking Nigeria, Morocco, and other member states. Progress was also recorded in the West African Power Pool, the gas pipeline corridor, and the upgrading of border posts.
In the area of regional integration and trade, ECOWAS supported six member states in ratifying the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and supported 13 in ratifying the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) pact.
In terms of humanitarian aid, ECOWAS allocated $9 million to support refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and asylum seekers. It delivered direct aid to over 41,000 displaced persons in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Guinea, and Nigeria. Notably, ECOWAS paid 100 per cent of its ECOWAS levy for the first time in 19 years—amounting to over ₦85 billion and $54 million—demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
Under Tinubu’s leadership, ECOWAS oversaw the election of the ECOWAS Parliament’s first female President and delivered 11 judgments through 33 sessions of the Community Court of Justice, which also processed 15 new cases. Unfortunately, Tinubu’s ECOWAS recorded some significant drawbacks. First, Tinubu’s hardline posture—including his threat of military intervention, electricity cut-off to Niger, and sweeping sanctions intended to enforce a return to democracy—prompted Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to formally exit ECOWAS and form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Tinubu’s stout enforcement of democratic norms led to regional fragmentation, with ECOWAS unable to follow through on its threat.
Despite several efforts by ECOWAS leaders to reintegrate the three countries, they have vowed not to return, claiming that their withdrawal serves the best interests of their populations. They have accused ECOWAS of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” coup-related sanctions while neglecting their internal security crises. To date, AES members have refused to engage with ECOWAS security initiatives, further fragmenting regional military cooperation.
In fact, under Tinubu, the ECOWAS regional counter-terror force lacked sufficient resources, as member states prioritised national security budgets over collective funding, which hindered effectiveness. Prominent human rights activists across the continent have highlighted Nigeria’s—and by extension ECOWAS’s—failure to enforce the rulings of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, with over 44 judgments against Nigeria remaining unimplemented.
Therefore, as the new ECOWAS Chairman assumes office, he must understand that he faces complex challenges requiring visionary, firm, and unifying leadership. He must prioritise a pressing agenda to restore ECOWAS’ credibility, ensure peace, and promote regional cooperation. To achieve this, he should build upon the measures—and respond to the challenges—inherited from President Tinubu’s tenure.
Rather than isolating military-junta-led states (Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso), President Bio should promote constructive dialogue to steer them back toward constitutional order. He should prioritise democratic institution-building by strengthening parliaments, judiciaries, and electoral bodies to ensure accountable governance across the sub-region.
The new Chairman should ensure the full implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET). He should also accelerate the operationalisation of the much-vaunted ECOWAS single currency (ECO) in line with the existing roadmap.
Despite their differences, ECOWAS and AES countries should seek ways to cooperate through alternative frameworks or arrangements, preserving beneficial regional ties—even if full membership is no longer immediately possible. This effort will require a blend of diplomacy, institutional reform, economic incentives, and tailored security strategies. By focusing on inclusivity, mutual benefit, and respect for the unique challenges facing the AES countries, ECOWAS can help ease tensions and potentially pave the way for their return.
President Bio should initiate direct negotiations with AES leaders to understand the reasons for their withdrawal. Addressing their concerns—whether political, economic, or security-related—could pave the way for compromise or re-engagement. Encouragingly, some states and organisations have already launched diplomatic efforts to bring the AES countries back into ECOWAS. For instance, Senegal, owing to its good relations with the AES states, is supporting an ECOWAS-backed mediation process to ensure that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger remain engaged. Additionally, Niger and Nigeria signed a bilateral agreement despite their initial rift following the ECOWAS sanctions in August 2024. This is laudable.
While the new Chairman works closely with AES leadership to promote democratic governance, respect for the rule of law, and economic stability, addressing internal governance challenges might reduce the motivations for withdrawal in the first place.
More importantly, President Bio should address the lingering disunity among ECOWAS countries. He should encourage ECOWAS leaders to speak with one mind and one voice. Regional solidarity is essential to achieving common security objectives and driving economic growth. Rather than encouraging fragmentation, it would be more beneficial for AES countries to remain within ECOWAS, to take advantage of the opportunities and benefits offered by regional cooperation; in particular, to address shared security and economic challenges, thus promoting peace and stability in the region.
The new ECOWAS Chairman should aim to restore confidence in ECOWAS leadership, promote unity in diversity, and drive a renewed vision of peace, prosperity, and integration across West Africa.
