Burundi’s former Foreign Minister, Ézéchiel Nibigira, has been named the new president of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), following a summit held in Equatorial Guinea. He succeeds Angola’s Gilberto Verissimo and will serve a five-year term.
Nibigira brings a strong academic and diplomatic background to the role, holding a doctorate in business administration and finance. He is a prominent member of Burundi’s ruling CNDD-FDD party and has previously served as ambassador to Kenya and Minister responsible for East African Community affairs.
His leadership begins at a turbulent time for the region. The ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) tops ECCAS’s agenda. Burundi, a close ally of the DRC, faces strained relations with neighboring Rwanda, which supports the M23 rebel group fighting Congolese government forces. In protest, Rwanda has withdrawn from ECCAS, accusing the bloc of bias toward Kinshasa.
Beyond regional security, Nibigira is tasked with reforming ECCAS’s commission and restoring its reputation after past allegations of mismanagement.
Founded in 1983, ECCAS works to promote peace, stability, and economic integration among its member states. Nibigira’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for the organization as it navigates both internal reforms and external geopolitical tensions.
