ECOWAS COMMISSION HEAD AND AUTHORITY CHAIR MEET IN FREETOWN BEFORE MID-YEAR SUMMIT
By Alhaji A. Barrie
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Sunday, 12 July 2026
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, held talks with Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State House today ahead of the bloc’s 2026 Mid-Year Summit.
Sierra Leone currently chairs the ECOWAS Authority and is hosting this week’s statutory meetings in Freetown and Lungi. The discussions centered on reports from the Administration and Finance Committee and areas requiring urgent regional attention, including security, climate adaptation, and job creation for young people.
Both sides noted the need to link budget decisions to challenges facing Member States. As Chair of the Authority, President Bio reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting a summit focused on practical results for citizens. Dr. Touray said coordination between the Commission and the Authority will be key to implementing the bloc’s long-term development plan.
Officials from 12 ECOWAS Member States are attending committee sessions in Freetown this week. Heads of State are scheduled to meet in Lungi later to consider proposals on the regional budget, institutional reforms, and security cooperation.
The outcomes of the meetings are expected to guide ECOWAS programs and resource allocation for the second half of 2026.
