• Ézéchiel Nibigira named new ECCAS Commission president
• Appointment aims to boost reforms, regional integration efforts
• Tenure begins amid DRC tensions, Rwanda's ECCAS withdrawal

Burundian politician Ézéchiel Nibigira has been named the new president of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). The appointment, for a five-year term, was unanimously adopted by Heads of state at a special summit held Sunday in Sipopo, Equatorial Guinea.

Nibigira succeeds Angola's Gilberto Verissimo. A doctor of business administration and finance, Nibigira has held several high-level positions in Burundi, including Member of Parliament, Ambassador to Kenya, and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Youth, Sports, and Culture.

In his acceptance speech, the new president emphasized the importance of teamwork and institutional continuity. He called on Commission employees for their support to address ECCAS's challenges and reaffirmed his commitment to working with all ministers and partners to advance regional integration and raise the organization's international profile.

During his term, Nibigira will be tasked with continuing ongoing reforms, restoring confidence in the Commission, and managing persistent security tensions, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In June, Rwanda announced its withdrawal from ECCAS, accusing the DRC of "instrumentalizing" the regional body with the support of some member states.

ECCAS's priorities include promoting peace and security, developing regional infrastructure, ensuring the free movement of people and goods, and harmonizing economic and financial policies. Since its treaty was revised in 2019, the organization has been implementing a strategic plan (2021-2025) to modernize its institutions and strengthen its regional impact.

Charlène N’dimon