Sierra Leonean activist Paul Kanu has publicly condemned the appointment of President Julius Maada Bio as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), calling the move “a betrayal of democratic values” and “a mockery of regional leadership.”

In a strongly worded statement, Kanu expressed outrage over what he described as ECOWAS’ continued pattern of overlooking governance failures and rewarding controversial leaders. “President Maada Bio, whose regime in Sierra Leone has been marred by allegations of electoral fraud, corruption, human rights abuses, and suspicious links to international drug trafficking networks, lacks the moral credibility to lead any democratic institution,” Kanu stated.

Kanu’s criticism reflects mounting frustration among Sierra Leoneans and others across West Africa who believe ECOWAS has strayed from its founding principles of democracy, rule of law, and accountability.

“The Bio government has been accused of silencing dissent, jailing peaceful protesters, and weaponizing state institutions to suppress opposition voices,” Kanu noted. “For ECOWAS to now elevate such a leader to chairmanship sends a dangerous message — that impunity is not only tolerated but rewarded.”

He went further to describe the appointment as evidence of “deep-rooted political decay within ECOWAS,” warning that regional trust in the bloc is eroding. “How can the people of West Africa believe in ECOWAS when its leadership choices ignore the suffering and oppression of citizens across member states?”

Kanu’s remarks have sparked debate online and in political circles, with many citizens echoing his sentiments on social media. Critics say ECOWAS must undergo urgent reforms if it hopes to regain the confidence of the people it claims to represent.

“This should be a wake-up call,” Kanu concluded. “Leadership must reflect the will of the people — not the protection of elites.”