ECOWAS Leadership Shake-up: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected ECOWAS Chairman at the 69th summit in Sierra Leone, succeeding Julius Maada Bio, as leaders also approved reforms and a long-term agenda to tackle security, democracy and regional integration. Regional Security & Finance: The UN warned that Sahel and northern Nigeria terror groups are getting more sophisticated, using drones, advanced communications and cryptocurrencies—raising pressure on cross-border cooperation and financial controls. Niger-Oman Trade Push: Niger and Oman agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, fast-track trade and investment agreements, and expand capacity building with a stronger public-private engagement focus. Niger Politics & Party Unity: Niger’s Information Minister Mohammed Idris urged APC stakeholders in the state to embrace reconciliation and unity ahead of future political contests. Food Security Shock (Nigeria, Sahel spillover): Reports from northern Nigeria link rising child malnutrition to the Iran war’s impact on food prices and household purchasing power, worsening an already fragile security and poverty situation. PFIPC Fallout (Nigeria): Nigeria’s PFIPC controversy continues to draw attention to alleged intermediaries and disputed appointment-linked payments, keeping governance and accountability in the spotlight.