ECOWAS Chairman Julius Maada Bio and Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara Renew Pledge to Strengthen West African Unity, Revitalize Mano River Union.
By Raymond Enoch.
In a pivotal moment for regional cooperation in West Africa, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara today reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to bolstering the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and revitalizing the historic Mano River Union.
President Bio, currently on an intensive regional tour as ECOWAS Chairperson, made a working visit to Abidjan, where he held high-level discussions with President Ouattara aimed at fortifying regional integration and addressing pressing challenges facing ECOWAS.
Following a closed-door meeting between the two leaders, President Ouattara spoke to the press, expressing warm solidarity with President Bio and full support for his leadership tenure. He described President Bio as “a close friend and steadfast partner” and reiterated Côte d’Ivoire’s readiness to collaborate for a “successful and transformative ECOWAS agenda.”
President Ouattara acknowledged the complex security, economic, and political difficulties confronting the region, but expressed firm confidence in President Bio’s capacity to navigate these obstacles. Of particular note was Ouattara’s endorsement of Bio’s initiative to deepen strategic cooperation between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a move seen as critical in addressing the transnational threats and fostering stability.
Responding, President Bio emphasized the importance of his regional visits as part of a broader vision to unify and strengthen ECOWAS amid evolving geopolitical realities. “Upon assuming the chairmanship, I inherited a region grappling with significant security challenges and the recent withdrawal of AES member states,” he remarked. “It is imperative that we maintain close ties and build robust partnerships with AES countries to ensure collective peace and prosperity.”
President Bio also highlighted the urgent need for internal reforms within ECOWAS institutions to enhance efficiency, integration, and responsiveness. He stated that his discussions with President Ouattara were deeply focused on practical steps to reinvigorate the regional body, improve coordination, and accelerate integration policies that benefit all member states.
The revival of the Mano River Union—an older regional bloc consisting of Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea—was also a key topic. Both leaders underscored the symbolic and strategic importance of restoring the Union’s relevance as a platform for cooperation on shared development, peace, and security interests.
In a gesture of gratitude, President Bio praised the people of Côte d’Ivoire for their unwavering support to Sierra Leone throughout its peacebuilding journey, affirming the deep bonds that continue to tie the two nations together.
This visit marks a crucial step in President Bio’s ambitious agenda to strengthen ECOWAS’ cohesion and to position West Africa as a unified front ready to confront its challenges and seize future opportunities.
As the region watches closely, the partnership between Presidents Bio and Ouattara promises renewed hope for accelerated regional integration, improved security collaboration, and sustainable development in West Africa.
