Dr. Dédou Hemou, a Togolese national, is the new Secretary-General of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). *He assumed his duties on Thursday, 9 April 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria*. He succeeds K. Bertin Somé in this position, who retired on 31 December 2025.
Dr. Hemou has a distinguished career within ECOWAS institutions. He had served as the Permanent Representative of ECOWAS to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium, since April 2016.
Prior to his appointment in Brussels, he held several senior leadership positions within the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, including Director of External Relations and subsequently Director of Political Affairs.
Dr. Hemou is an experienced diplomat, holding a doctorate in Economics and an advanced degree in Strategy and Diplomacy.