Freetown – In a powerful show of optimism and determination, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Francess Piagie Alghali, has embraced her appointment as ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, describing it as a profound personal and national milestone that underscores the country’s growing influence in West Africa.
Speaking at the government’s weekly press conference hosted by Minister of Information and Civic Education Hon. Chernor Bah, Alghali expressed deep pride in Sierra Leone’s successful bid for one of the regional body’s most critical portfolios.
She pledged to prioritize preventive diplomacy, shifting ECOWAS from a reactive to a more forward-looking approach in tackling instability.
“I am proud that Sierra Leone successfully went through the process and secured this important position,” she said. “It reflects the confidence ECOWAS has in our country’s contribution to peace, security, and regional cooperation.”
Alghali, who will serve a four-year term succeeding Abdul-Fatai Musa, highlighted the competitive, merit-based selection process. Following the end of the previous commissioner’s tenure, member states indicated preferences, and Sierra Leone targeted the Political Affairs, Peace and Security role due to its strong credentials in peacebuilding, democratic governance, and conflict resolution.
Candidates underwent rigorous scrutiny, including CV submissions, due diligence, and interviews before a panel of ministers. Alghali credited Sierra Leone’s recent United Nations Security Council service and President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s leadership in advancing regional peace as decisive factors.
A Personal and National Triumph
For Alghali, a seasoned diplomat with over two decades of experience in human rights, education, and public service, including as former Executive Secretary of Sierra Leone’s Human Rights Commission, the appointment carries special significance.
“For me, as a woman and as a Sierra Leonean, this appointment means a great deal,” she stated. “It demonstrates that hard work, dedication, and sacrifice are recognised, and I am deeply honoured to serve.”
She defended ECOWAS’s track record, pointing to its interventions in countries like The Gambia, Guinea, and Benin as evidence of the organisation’s commitment to constitutional governance and stability.
Vision for a More Proactive ECOWAS
Looking ahead to assuming office on 1 September 2026, Alghali outlined an ambitious agenda centered on early intervention.
“My vision is for ECOWAS to become even more proactive than reactive,” she emphasised. “We should intervene before conflicts emerge, prevent instability before sanctions become necessary, and continue strengthening peace and security throughout the region.”
The appointment, approved by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, is part of a broader slate of new commissioners for the 2026–2030 period and marks another diplomatic success for Sierra Leone.
With a distinguished background that includes senior roles in the Vice President’s office and active participation in multilateral forums, Alghali is widely seen as well-equipped to deepen Sierra Leone’s contributions to regional peacebuilding while reinforcing ECOWAS as a cornerstone of West African democracy and integration.
