The Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, has held high-level talks with the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, on regional security, cooperation and development.
The two leaders discussed the evolving security situation in the Sahel and West Africa, including terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, climate-related pressures, food insecurity and population displacement.
President Bio reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening regional solidarity and advancing practical solutions for peace, stability and sustainable development.
He described ECOWAS as a strategic platform for regional cooperation, while noting that Mauritania serves as a crucial bridge between the Maghreb, the Sahel and West Africa.
He also highlighted Mauritania’s experience in combating terrorism and strengthening border security as valuable to regional peace efforts.
President Bio stressed the need for deeper institutional cooperation between Mauritania and ECOWAS, noting that stronger engagement would help address shared challenges, expand trade and investment, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and advance regional integration.
In response, President Ghazouani expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel and pledged continued cooperation with ECOWAS. He also proposed a special regional summit to address emerging security threats across West Africa and the Sahel.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation between Mauritania and ECOWAS and working jointly to promote peace, security, stability, regional integration and sustainable development across the region.
President Bio was accompanied by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, and the former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Mr Mohamed Sidi Tunis.
