President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau has been elected the new Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African State.
Outgoing Chairman of the Community, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, announced this at the end of the 61st Ordinary Session of the regional body in Accra.
Five months ago, the new ECOWAS Chairman, Embalo, survived a coup d’etat, leading to the establishment of standby force made up of 609 troops.
The troops were selected from different member states of the regional body to ensure stability in Guinea Bissau.
In his opening speech at the summit, President Akufo-Addo said the deployment of the troops has been finalised.
The new ECOWAS Chairman is expected ensure the continuation of transition to constitutional democracy in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, where there has been military interventions.
Among other mandates, Embalo will have the onerous task of addressing lingering terrorism and extremist insurgencies across West Africa.