BY: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
Sierra Leone’s Mrs. Francess Piagie Alghali has officially assumed office as ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), taking charge of one of the regional bloc’s most critical portfolios at a time of heightened political and security challenges across West Africa.
Alghali formally took over the position on Tuesday at the new ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja during a ceremony marking the end of the four-year tenure of outgoing ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, and other statutory appointees who assumed office in 2022.
A former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, Alghali succeeds Ghana’s Ambassador Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah. In her new role, she will oversee the ECOWAS directorate responsible for conflict prevention, democratic governance, election monitoring and regional security coordination.
Her assumption of office comes as Senegal’s General Birame Diop begins his tenure as President of the ECOWAS Commission, with Nigeria’s Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi serving as Vice President. Ogunjimi replaces Togo’s Mrs. Damtiem Tchintchibidja.
During the ceremony, the outgoing leadership formally handed over the Management Performance Compendium to the new executive team. The event also featured the unveiling of the special “ECOWAS @ 50” publication by The Agenda Network in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission, as well as a documentary highlighting the achievements of the outgoing administration.
In his farewell address, Dr. Touray expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for its support throughout his tenure. While highlighting the progress recorded over the past four years, he acknowledged that significant challenges remain across the region and urged the new leadership to address them decisively.
In his maiden address, President Diop pledged to make regional stability, democratic governance, peace and security key priorities as ECOWAS moves beyond its 50th anniversary.
“A new chapter has been opened for regional integration; let us all make it a chapter for peace and unity,” Diop said, while also emphasizing accountability, transparency and effective resource mobilization as essential to rebuilding public confidence in the regional institution.
The high-level ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries, including Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, members of the Permanent Representatives Committee and development partners.
Sierra Leone was represented by His Excellency Dr. Julius F. Sandy, High Commissioner to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, who attended alongside officials of the Sierra Leone High Commission.
Alghali’s appointment places a Sierra Leonean at the heart of ECOWAS decision-making on peace, security and democratic governance. Her elevation comes at a critical period, with military coups, terrorism, political instability and electoral tensions continuing to challenge the region.
With her diplomatic and administrative experience, expectations are high that Alghali will contribute to strengthening regional consensus, supporting democratic transitions and enhancing security cooperation among ECOWAS member states.
As Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Alghali will play a central role in coordinating the regional bloc’s responses to political and security crisesa mandate likely to shape the direction and legacy of the new ECOWAS leadership.