Mahama Meets New ECOWAS Commission President Birame Diop, Discusses Regional Security and Development

President John Dramani Mahama has met the newly appointed leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as the regional bloc begins a new four-year leadership term from 2026 to 2030.

The meeting took place on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Flagstaff House in Kanda, Accra, during the maiden sub-regional tour of the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop.

General Diop led a delegation comprising key officials of the regional organisation, including Honourable Amin Amidu Sulemani, Commissioner in charge of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation; Ambassador Isabelle Sandra Folquet, Political and Diplomatic Affairs Advisor; Professor Priscilla Twumasi Baffuor, Economic Advisor; Ambassador Baba Kamara, Special Envoy on Counter Terrorism; and Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the new ECOWAS leadership to interact with President Mahama on several issues affecting West Africa and the wider sub-region.

Discussions focused on elections, peace and security, national development, terrorism, youth-related challenges, gender-based violence and efforts to strengthen the core mandate of ECOWAS to respond effectively to emerging regional and global developments.

President Mahama congratulated General Diop on his assumption of office and the formation of his new leadership team.

He urged the new administration to remain committed and loyal to the responsibilities entrusted to them, stressing the importance of providing effective leadership to ensure that ECOWAS continues to move in the right and positive direction.

In his response, General Diop acknowledged the work of his predecessor, Dr Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia, and commended him for his achievements during his tenure as President of the ECOWAS Commission.

He pledged to give his best to the organisation, with the support of Heads of Government across the region, to strengthen existing ECOWAS protocols and embrace emerging norms and developments shaping contemporary society and humanity.

General Diop assumed office on August 31, 2026, and his appointment marks the beginning of a new leadership period for the regional organisation.

The delegation also paid a courtesy call on former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to acknowledge and appreciate his contributions and support for ECOWAS during his eight-year presidency of Ghana.

The delegation particularly recognised his role as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government between September 2020 and July 2022.

One of the major responsibilities facing General Diop and his new team is the supervision of peaceful and credible elections in The Gambia, scheduled for December 5, 2026.

The election is expected to be an important early test of the new leadership’s commitment to promoting democracy, political stability and credible electoral processes across the West African sub-region.

General Birame Diop is a retired Senegalese Air Force General, diplomat and former government minister whose career spans more than 30 years in national defence, international peacekeeping and regional security governance.

His experience in military leadership, diplomacy and regional security is expected to play an important role as ECOWAS continues to confront security threats, political challenges and development concerns across West Africa.