ECOWAS Energy Deal: West African leaders in Freetown signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a roughly 6,000–6,800km project estimated at about $27bn, expected to start construction in 2028 and target first gas deliveries in 2031, with next steps including a Casablanca-based project company and an Abuja-based governing authority. Regional Logistics & Trade: Sierra Leone wrapped up the 69th ECOWAS summit and commissioned the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi to boost peace support, humanitarian response and emergency readiness, while NDMA and SLPHA also renewed plans to coordinate port expansion with disaster preparedness. ECOWAS Leadership Shift: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected ECOWAS Chairman, taking over from Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio, as leaders push reforms amid security and integration pressures. Roads Hit Costs: Traders and residents in Kenema District urged urgent rehabilitation of the Mano Junction–Bumpeh road, saying its deterioration is raising transport costs and disrupting fuel distribution. Policy & Oversight: Sierra Leone’s Parliament summoned SLENA management over operations and funding gaps, and opposition MPs questioned the cost of the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre ahead of ECOWAS meetings. Social Tension at Regional Level: Nigeria urged ECOWAS to take South Africa’s xenophobic attacks to the African Union, citing evacuations of 1,490 citizens and calling for a united continental response.