The Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has held strategic discussions with the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, focusing on regional security, cooperation, and development across West Africa and the Sahel.
Both leaders exchanged views on the worsening security environment in the region, including the spread of terrorism, violent extremism, organised criminal networks, climate-related challenges, food insecurity, and increasing population displacement.
President Bio reaffirmed his dedication to strengthening unity among West African states and advancing practical, collective responses to peace and stability challenges. He described ECOWAS as a vital platform for regional collaboration, while emphasising Mauritania’s strategic role as a link between the Maghreb, the Sahel, and West Africa.
He also praised Mauritania’s experience in tackling terrorism and reinforcing border security, noting that such expertise is valuable to ongoing regional peace efforts. According to him, deeper institutional cooperation between ECOWAS and Mauritania would help improve security coordination, boost trade and investment, enhance the movement of people and goods, and support broader regional integration.
In his response, President Ghazouani expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel and reiterated Mauritania’s readiness to work closely with ECOWAS. He further proposed the convening of a special regional summit to address emerging security threats affecting West Africa and the Sahel region.
The meeting ended with both leaders pledging stronger collaboration between Mauritania and ECOWAS, with a shared commitment to advancing peace, security, stability, economic integration, and sustainable development across the region.
President Bio was accompanied at the meeting by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, and former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Mohamed Sidi Tunis.
