His Excellency Julius Maada Bio and Excellency Alassane OuattaraHis Excellency Alassane Ouattara, the president of Côte d’Ivoire, and His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, the chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and president of Sierra Leone, reaffirmed their shared commitment to reviving the Mano River Union and fortifying the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during a one-day working visit to Côte d’Ivoire. In his role as Chairman, President Bio is currently on a regional tour of ECOWAS member nations, which includes the visit.
President Ouattara addressed the media after a private, behind-closed-doors meeting, calling President Bio a close friend and promising Côte d’Ivoire’s full support for a prosperous term under his ECOWAS leadership. President Ouattara acknowledged the enormous obstacles the region faces and said he has faith in President Bio’s ability to address them successfully.
Additionally, President Ouattara expressed his support for President Bio’s plan to strengthen ECOWAS-AES cooperation, an area that is becoming more and more crucial as regional security dynamics change. President Bio responded by underscoring the importance of his regional tour in achieving his overarching goal of ECOWAS institution and relationship unification and strengthening.
President Bio listed several urgent issues that he inherited when he assumed office, such as subregional security issues and the expulsion of certain AES members from specific cooperative frameworks. To solve common security and development issues, he emphasised the importance of keeping tight ties with AES countries and encouraging constructive cooperation.
The two leaders talked about the pressing need to pursue institutional reforms that can eliminate barriers to efficient regional governance and expedite ECOWAS integration. In addition, President Bio commended the citizens of Côte d’Ivoire for their unwavering support of Sierra Leone during its peace process, emphasising the value of neighbourly solidarity in fostering development and preserving peace.
In addition to strengthening ECOWAS as a unified, adaptable regional organisation that can handle the intricate political, security, and economic issues facing West Africa, both presidents pledged to collaborate in reviving the Mano River Union.
