Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, August 11, 2025 –
In a significant display of regional leadership, Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, serving as the current Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara have jointly pledged their strong commitment to strengthening the ECOWAS bloc and revitalizing the Mano River Union (MRU). This decisive affirmation emerged during President Bio’s one-day working visit to Abidjan, a crucial stop on his broader regional tour undertaken in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, aimed at fostering unity and addressing critical challenges facing West Africa.
The core of the visit was centered on intensive closed-door discussions between the two leaders at the Ivorian Presidential palace. Following these talks, President Ouattara warmly received President Bio, publicly hailing him as a “close friend” and delivering a powerful message of solidarity. He emphatically expressed Côte d’Ivoire’s full and unwavering support for President Bio’s leadership of ECOWAS, acknowledging the substantial hurdles confronting the regional body. These challenges include persistent political instability within several member states and the significant development of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrawing to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Crucially, President Ouattara also endorsed President Bio’s proactive efforts to deepen dialogue and foster practical cooperation between ECOWAS and the AES nations. This backing underscores a pragmatic approach to maintaining essential channels for communication and collaboration on regional security and stability, despite the complexities introduced by the Sahel states’ departure.
President Bio, in turn, detailed the primary objectives driving his regional engagement. He emphasized that his tour is fundamentally focused on consolidating unity within the remaining ECOWAS membership, collaboratively confronting the pervasive and interconnected security threats – including terrorism, violent extremism, and political volatility – that continue to destabilize the region, and actively working to rebuild constructive ties with the AES member states. He revealed that his discussions with President Ouattara delved deeply into concrete strategies for accelerating the often-stalled processes of regional integration. Both leaders stressed the urgent need to pursue meaningful institutional reforms within ECOWAS itself, aiming to enhance the bloc’s efficiency, responsiveness, and capacity to effectively serve the needs of its member states and their citizens. A specific and shared priority highlighted was the imperative to revitalize the Mano River Union, the sub-regional grouping comprising Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire. They discussed concerted efforts to breathe new life into the MRU, focusing on reinvigorating economic cooperation, driving forward key infrastructure development projects, and strengthening collective security mechanisms among these neighbouring nations.
Reflecting on the deep-rooted bilateral relationship, President Bio took a moment to publicly commend Côte d’Ivoire for its consistent and invaluable support to Sierra Leone, particularly during Sierra Leone’s arduous post-war peacebuilding and reconstruction period, following its devastating civil conflict. He characterized this enduring partnership as a tangible model for regional solidarity and mutual support. The meeting concluded with a strong shared sense of purpose and resolve, signaling a concerted push by both Presidents to reinvigorate West Africa’s primary cooperation frameworks during a period of significant flux. Their joint stance prioritizes sustained dialogue, deeper economic and political integration, and collective security, as the indispensable cornerstones for achieving future regional stability, prosperity, and resilience. This unified front from Abidjan represents a vital step in navigating the complex regional political landscape and reaffirming the critical relevance of collaborative institutions like ECOWAS and the MRU.