Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has taken over as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). ECOWAS, established in 1975, faces numerous challenges, including rising violence, member withdrawals, and economic instability.

As the new Chairman, Bio pledged to focus on democracy, security cooperation, economic integration, and institutional credibility. He acknowledged the region’s ongoing struggles with insecurity, terrorism, and political instability.

Bio’s appointment comes amid ECOWAS’s most severe crisis in decades, with jihadist forces dominating large areas of the Sahel region. The bloc has faced setbacks following the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which formed their own security alliance after experiencing military coups.

Sierra Leone’s President will need to navigate these complex challenges while addressing domestic issues, including a synthetic drug crisis and stagnating economy.