The Government of Senegal has officially presented retired Air Force General and current Minister of the Armed Forces, Birame Diop, as its nominee for the position of President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The nomination was announced in a statement issued by Senegal’s Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
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According to the statement, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye endorsed Diop’s candidacy ahead of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit scheduled for July 2026, where member states are expected to consider and approve the appointment.
The ministry described Diop as a highly accomplished leader whose extensive military, diplomatic and administrative experience would be a valuable asset to the regional bloc if confirmed.
It noted that his nomination reflects Senegal’s commitment to offering ECOWAS a candidate with proven leadership qualities, integrity, operational expertise and a deep understanding of peacebuilding, governance, regional security and integration issues.
The statement highlighted Diop’s distinguished service record, pointing out that he has occupied several strategic positions within Senegal’s military establishment, including Chief of the Air Force Staff, Chief of the Military Staff to the President, and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
Senegal expressed confidence that Diop possesses the competence, neutrality and commitment required to advance the vision and objectives of the Economic Community of West African States.
The government further stated that his strategic insight, consensus-building skills and dedication to Pan-African ideals would contribute significantly to improving the effectiveness of the regional organisation.
According to the ministry, ECOWAS is currently confronted with complex security, political, economic and institutional challenges, making Diop’s experience particularly relevant to the bloc’s aspirations for peace, stability, development and regional cohesion.
The statement also referenced his international experience, noting that he previously served as Military Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General within the Department of Peace Operations, where he contributed to policy development and implementation in areas such as conflict prevention, peacekeeping and global security.
In addition, Diop has worked extensively with the Africa Center for Strategic Studies as a facilitator and lecturer, helping to train senior civilian and military officials across Africa on issues relating to security, governance, development and defence.
The ministry added that he conducted research on Security Sector Reform in sub-Saharan Africa at the National Endowment for Democracy and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Diop has also played a role in security sector reform initiatives in several African countries, overseeing teams responsible for drafting National Defence and Security Policies under the auspices of the United Nations and the European Union.
Furthermore, he founded the African Institute for the Security Sector, a platform dedicated to strengthening Africa’s strategic and security capabilities, which later evolved into Partners Senegal.
Through these institutions, he has contributed to numerous programmes promoting inclusive and participatory approaches to security governance across the continent.
The 65-year-old nominee is an alumnus of the Royal Air School, the Air University and the École de Guerre. He is also engaged in further academic studies focusing on diplomacy and international relations.
NAN reports that during its 95th Council of Ministers meeting held in Abuja in December 2025, ECOWAS approved the allocation of the Commission President position to Senegal.
The recommendation was subsequently ratified by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. Under the arrangement, Nigeria will occupy the position of Vice President of the Commission, while Liberia is expected to take over the presidency in 2030.
Other key positions allocated within the regional body include Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security to Sierra Leone; Internal Services to Côte d’Ivoire; Economic Affairs and Agriculture to Liberia; and Human Development and Social Affairs to Benin.
The council also allocated positions on the ECOWAS Court of Justice to Benin, The Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo, replacing judges whose tenures are scheduled to expire this year.
NAN
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