West African leaders on Sunday elected Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the new Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), at the conclusion of the bloc's 69th Ordinary Session.

Faye takes over the rotating chairmanship at a time when ECOWAS is grappling with mounting security threats, political instability in parts of the region and renewed efforts to strengthen regional integration and institutional reforms.

Addressing fellow leaders after his election, the Senegalese president said the regional bloc must accelerate efforts to address the challenges facing West Africa. He called for the operationalization of the ECOWAS Regional Counter-Terrorism Force, greater pooling of resources among member states, stronger financial autonomy for the organization and enhanced support for communities affected by insecurity.

Faye also stressed the importance of preserving the achievements of ECOWAS as the organization marks five decades of regional cooperation and integration. He pledged to work toward a more secure, politically stable and economically sovereign West Africa while strengthening the bloc's voice and credibility on the international stage.

Accepting the mandate, Faye described the chairmanship as both an honor and a responsibility, reaffirming his commitment to advancing regional solidarity and promoting collective solutions to the challenges facing the 15-member community.

His tenure begins as ECOWAS seeks to reinforce regional security cooperation, deepen economic integration and restore confidence in its institutions amid an evolving geopolitical landscape in West Africa.