ECOWAS Summit in Freetown (Lungi): West African leaders wrapped up the 69th Ordinary Session, with Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio handing ECOWAS chairmanship to Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye and inaugurating a logistics depot and conference centre to boost regional cooperation. African Atlantic Gas Pipeline: ECOWAS endorsed the legal framework for the Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, clearing the way for a major energy corridor expected to move about 30bcm of gas annually through 13 countries. Single Currency Push: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO in 2027, with early adopters meeting convergence criteria. Xenophobia Response: ECOWAS leaders backed efforts to escalate South Africa’s xenophobic violence to the African Union, while Nigeria’s Tinubu urged a united African front. Regional Security & Borders: ECOWAS called on Guinea to fully withdraw troops from the Yenga and Lofa enclaves and urged faster cross-border anti-corruption cooperation. Appointments: ECOWAS approved new commissioners and judges for 2026–2030, including Sierra Leone’s Francess Alghali as commissioner for political affairs, peace and security. Culture & Youth: Africell Sierra Leone named musician Drizilik as brand ambassador, and Miss Sierra Leone Limited appointed Mariyam Lorba Konneh to represent the country at Miss World 2026.