# ECOWAS leadership appointments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ecowas-leadership-appointments
> Updated: 2026-09-02T16:31:28.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has implemented significant leadership changes within its institutions. 

Mam Cherno Jallow, a Gambian financial economist with over 35 years of experience, was appointed Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). Following a handover ceremony in Dakar on August 31, 2026, Jallow succeeded Liberian Edwin W. Harris Jr. to begin a four-year term.

In conjunction with this appointment, Birame Diop, a retired Senegalese Air Force officer and former Minister of the Armed Forces, assumed the presidency of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria. Diop succeeded Omar Alieu Touray, emphasizing the importance of unity and solidarity to address regional political, security, and economic challenges.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: ECOWAS appoints Birame Diop and Mam Cherno Jallow to key leadership roles

ECOWAS has appointed Birame Diop as Commission President and Mam Cherno Jallow as Director General of GIABA to lead regional integration and combat money laundering.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecowas-appoints-birame-diop-and-mam-cherno-jallow-to-key-leadership-roles

### 2026-08-31: Mam Cherno Jallow appointed GIABA Director-General

Gambian economist Mam Cherno Jallow has been appointed Director-General of GIABA for a four-year term, succeeding Edwin W. Harris Jr. to lead West African anti-money laundering efforts.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mam-cherno-jallow-appointed-giaba-director-general

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Cite as: ECOWAS leadership appointments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ecowas-leadership-appointments