During his visit to Abidjan yesterday Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Alassane Dramane Ouattara insisted on the importance of strenghtening relations between the two countries, regional integration by reinforcing notably WAEMU and ECOWAS.

Diomaye Faye’s sub-regional tour continued yesterday in Abidjan. BDF and ADO want to look in the same direction, especially as their two countries are the driving force behind the West African Economic and Monetary Union (Uemoa). “If we synergize our capacities, as I hope we will and as has always been the case, at an ever more appreciable level, we can certainly face many challenges, including those linked to the global economic crisis we are currently experiencing,” noted the Senegalese President at a joint press briefing with his Ivorian counterpart, Alassane Ouattara.

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For him, the Dakar-Abidjan axis needs to be further strengthened. “We can still do more, particularly in the priority sectors of agriculture, with the development of cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire, from which we want to draw a lot of inspiration, and in other areas such as livestock farming, defence, security, education and energy,” he said. He added: “Together, we can make the most of the potential that exists in both countries, and strengthen the economic and commercial cooperation that we have always nurtured, but which must, with each new regime, grow even more. For my part, I shall strive to strengthen relations between the two countries, to ensure that African priorities are better taken into account. Whether it’s political and economic governance reform, sustainable development, climate change, peace or international security », Bassirou Diomaye Faye added. On hold since 2014, he proposed a new session of the Grand Joint Commission.

 

Today, Ouattara hopes that Dakar and Abidjan will continue to play leadership roles in the Uemoa space. “We welcomed the dynamism of cooperation, and above all the strengthening of relations that have always marked developments in our two countries. We have reached a total convergence of views. Whether on issues of democracy, regional cooperation or the international situation, we are totally in phase,” declared Alassane Ouattara. He urged ministerial officials in both countries to make “greater efforts to boost trade between the two countries”. They will become even stronger with the prospect of exploiting the gas discovered in both Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, which also has oil deposits.

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ADO announced that the two countries “will have double-digit growth rates to make a significant contribution to improving people’s daily lives”. “We felt that, in economic terms, it was important to focus on social issues and young people. This is what we are doing in Côte d’Ivoire, which has enabled us to significantly reduce the poverty rate over the last 10 years », remarked Alassane Ouattara.

“Ecowas is a formidable tool for integration”.

“It’s when these great ensembles are strengthened that the prospects will also be strengthened.” In his view, we should contribute to strengthening the unity, cohesion and sovereignty of Ecowas, “which is a ”formidable tool for integration. It is in our interest to preserve it. I know you are committed to doing just that, because after all, we have an obligation to preserve the legacy of the founding fathers. I know I can count on your wisdom to continue to act alongside you, especially by reinforcing preventive action. It’s always better to prevent a crisis than to try to resolve it. But when crises are already here, we need to tackle them head-on”.

By Justin GOMIS / justin@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH