President John Dramani Mahama has been endorsed as ECOWAS’s official nominee for the African Union (AU) Chairmanship role for 2027.
This follows a unanimous endorsement by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers during its meeting in Abuja, Nigeria where ministers agreed to present President Mahama as the bloc’s sole candidate for the role when the rotating chairmanship returns to West Africa.
The chairmanship rotates annually among Africa’s five regions with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola representing the Southern African region as the current AU Chair.
He assumed the role in February 2025 and will serve a one year term.
The council in its meeting considered President Mahama and Ghana as an important ECOWAS Member State contributing to its international standing.
It also considered to maintain and increase the chances of ECOWAS occupying positions in regional and international organisations.
The final decision by the ECOWAS Council will be forwarded to the Authority of Heads of State and Government which is expected to adopt the declaration on Sunday.
By Komla Klutse
