The ECOWAS presidency for the period of 2022-2026 has been decided in favour of the Gambia. The decision was unanimously arrived at by the ECOWAS Council.
It is the first time in the history of the ECOWAS Commission that The Gambia will occupy the presidency. The position rotates among the member states of the organisation. Omar Alieu Touray will occupy the high-profile position. Touray is a Gambian diplomat. He was the Gambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2007 to 2008 and has been Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs since March 2008.
Until his appointment, Touray was a former Ambassador and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Gambia. He joined the diplomatic service of the Gambia, starting as Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before being assigned as Secretary and then Counsellor at the Gambia mission to the European Union in Brussels.
President Adama Barrow received the news from EWOWAS Commission today with delight, saying it is a sign of the country’s recognition within the sub-region. He noted that The Gambia had gained more respect among the comity of nations, especially in the sub-region.
Since assuming office in 2017, Barrow has strengthened the country’s democratic credentials, respect for the rule of law and the independence of the institutions of the state.