Claim: Julius Maada Bio is the first Sierra Leonean President to head ECOWAS
Source: Chief Minister David Sangeh, Presidency statement
Verdict: False
Researched by Kemo Cham
Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, in a Facebook post on June 22, 2025, claimed President Julius Maada Bio is the first Sierra Leonean leader to chair the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Bio was on June 22 elected by other his peers to lead the regional bloc. He succeeded Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose tenure ended after his second term in the rotational position.
The development has divided Sierra Leoneans as supporters of the president celebrate it as an indication of confidence in his leadership, even among his colleagues at the subregional level.
The claim was reiterated by an official statement from the Office of the Presidential Press Secretary at the State House, indicating that President Bio was the first Sierra Leonean head of State to hold the position.
The final paragraph of the presidency statement read: “President Julius Maada Bio becomes the first Head of State of Sierra Leone to serve as Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.”
Fact-Check
FactSpace Sierra Leone used information obtained from the ECOWAS website to fact-check the claim.
On the history page of the site, the bloc listed its chairpersons since its formation in 1975 till 2019. The record showed that another Sierra Leonean leader, specifically Siaka Stevens, previously served as chairman of ECOWAS.
Siaka Stevens was Sierra Leone’s first President. He first came to power in 1968 as an elected Prime Minister, and later declared himself President when he unilaterally declared Sierra Leone a Republic, ending the leadership of Queen Elizabeth of Britain as head of state of the then British colony.
Stevens, according to ECOWAS’ information, served as the 5th chairman of the organisation from 1981 to 1982.
FactSpace Sierra Leone tried to get an explanation from Presidential Spokesman Yusuf Keketoma Sandi via phone call and WhatsApp message, but he couldn’t be reached.
Verdict
Therefore, the statement that President Bio is the first Sierra Leonean leader to chair ECOWAS is False.
