Senegalese President and Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, has arrived in Abuja for engagements with the regional bloc’s principal institutions and the swearing-in of newly appointed judges of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
Faye arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday, where he was received by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, senior officials of the Commission and representatives of the Senegalese Embassy in Nigeria.
The visit comes as ECOWAS intensifies efforts to strengthen its institutions and deepen regional cooperation amid challenges facing the West African integration process.
During his stay in Abuja, Faye is expected to meet with the leadership and officials of the ECOWAS Commission, Parliament and Court of Justice, which are all headquartered in the Nigerian capital.
The Senegalese leader is also scheduled to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed judges of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, highlighting the importance of the regional judiciary in his engagements.
The regional bloc said the visit underscores the importance attached to unity, solidarity and institutional cooperation among member states as ECOWAS pursues its objectives of promoting peace, stability, regional integration and sustainable development.
Faye’s engagements are also expected to reinforce the commitment of the Authority of Heads of State and Government to enhancing the effectiveness of ECOWAS institutions and advancing the bloc’s integration agenda.
The ECOWAS Commission, Parliament and Court of Justice constitute key pillars of the regional organisation, with responsibilities spanning economic integration, democratic governance, community legislation and justice.
The visit provides an opportunity for the ECOWAS chairman to interact directly with the institutions responsible for implementing and supporting the Community’s regional agenda.
Faye assumed the rotating chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government as President of Senegal, making his engagement with the institutions headquartered in Abuja significant to ongoing efforts to strengthen cohesion and institutional cooperation within the bloc.
His arrival also highlights Nigeria’s continued importance as host of ECOWAS’ principal institutions.
The official visit was announced in Abuja on October 5, 2026, with Faye expected to conclude his engagements after meetings with officials of the various ECOWAS institutions and participation in the judicial swearing-in ceremony.
