Breaking News

Angola’s Rhythmic Gymnastics Team Secures Bronze at African Championship

Pohamba Concerned About Increasing GBV and Road Accidents

Farmers Encouraged to Increase Cotton Output to Sustain New Ginnery

Pre-Term Women Should Prioritise Routine Check-Ups For Safe Deliveries

Molo Dairy Farmers Urged To Go High-Tech For Higher Yields

Sierra Leone’s President Reaffirms ECOWAS Reintegration Efforts with AU Representative

Freetown: His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has received the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Mali and the Sahel and Head of MISAHEL, Mamadou Tangara, during a courtesy call at State House in Freetown. The visit is part of the Special Representative's regional engagements aimed at developing a roadmap to strengthen collaboration between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and ECOWAS.

According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the delegation was introduced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba. He stated that Dr Tangara's visit was intended to brief President Bio, who also serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, on his ongoing consultations across the region. Dr Tangara delivered greetings from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and expressed gratitude to President Bio for his leadership and commitment to peace, stability, and regional cooperation.

Dr Tangara updated the President on his recent engagements with the leadership of AES member states, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, aimed at developing a framework for cooperation. He noted that since the formation of the AES in September 2023, signs of openness have emerged, including the participation of non-AES states in some of the alliance's engagements, which he described as a step toward renewed regional dialogue.

In his response, President Bio congratulated Dr Tangara on his appointment and welcomed the initiative. He emphasized that ECOWAS leaders have been looking forward to constructive engagement with the AES countries. The President reiterated his commitment to strengthening regional integration and ensuring the reintegration of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger into the bloc, noting that their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024 was not in the long-term interest of the region.

President Bio assured the Special Representative of his full support in advancing dialogue and cooperation aimed at restoring unity and stability across West Africa.