General Birame Diop, the new Chairperson of the ECOWAS Commission, met with Marc Fonbaustier, the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, on 21 September 2026, to address security challenges facing West Africa. They discussed issues including terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, and misinformation that threaten peace and stability in the region.
Ambassador Fonbaustier reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS in its efforts to tackle these challenges and promote security in the region. He congratulated General Diop on his new role and expressed support for his mission within the organisation.
In response, General Diop thanked the ambassador and highlighted the strong relationship between ECOWAS and France. He stated his resolve to enhance these ties, saying, “We will add our own values to these relationships that we have inherited from our predecessors.”
During the meeting, General Diop emphasised the need for dialogue, consensus, and tolerance in a changing world. He argued for a shift towards multilateralism and the importance of supporting the United Nations in fostering global peace. He intends to write a book titled “How to Rehumanize the Human Race” to address the need for humanity’s central role in society.
General Diop was accompanied by Vice President Anthony Ogunjimi, his political and diplomatic advisor Ms. Isabelle Sandra Folquet, and Jérôme Boa, Director of External Relations at the ECOWAS Commission. Ambassador Fonbaustier brought along his political advisor, Ms. Alice Ellenbogen.
