His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and current Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), attended His Excellency Alassane Ouattara’s inauguration in Abidjan on December 7, 2025. President Ouattara, who was re-elected in the presidential election on October 25, 2025, took the oath of office in front of a gathering of regional leaders, symbolising both continuity and a renewed commitment to democratic governance in Côte d’Ivoire. President Bio commented on his arrival on Facebook, saying, “ECOWAS remains steadfastly committed to strengthening democratic governance across West Africa.”
His presence emphasised Sierra Leone’s and ECOWAS’s solidarity with Côte d’Ivoire as the country begins a new chapter under new leadership. President Bio reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to cooperation, peacebuilding, economic integration, and good governance during his tenure as Chairman.
A distinguished roster of African heads of state attended the inauguration, including Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Gabon’s Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Mauritania’s Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama, and the Republic of Congo’s Denis Sassou Nguesso.
Their attendance highlighted the transfer of mandate’s broader regional significance, as well as a shared desire for stability and collaboration across West Africa. President
Unity and democratic consolidation within the ECOWAS community, as well as regional development efforts.
