Ivorian-mauritanian ties strengthened during ouattara-ghazouani meeting

On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara welcomed his Mauritanian counterpart Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan for a 24-hour working and friendship visit. The high-level meeting focused on deepening bilateral cooperation and addressing pressing regional challenges.

The two heads of state engaged in extensive discussions covering economic partnerships, security concerns, and broader West African issues. Both leaders emphasized the importance of solidarity in tackling shared regional threats while exploring new avenues for collaboration.

Strengthening Bilateral Partnerships

At the heart of the discussions was the need to enhance economic and political ties between Côte d’Ivoire and Mauritania. President Ouattara underscored the potential for increased trade and investment, highlighting Côte d’Ivoire’s role as a key economic hub in West Africa.

President Ghazouani reciprocated this sentiment, describing the Ivorian-Mauritanian relationship as built on « friendship, fraternity, and mutual trust. » He stressed that both nations share similar perspectives on regional stability and development.

Regional Security Challenges

A significant portion of the talks centered on security threats affecting both nations. The leaders exchanged views on the evolving security landscape in the Sahel and West African regions, agreeing on the necessity of coordinated responses to terrorism and organized crime.

President Ouattara remarked, « We had an excellent discussion on our respective countries’ situations, cooperation prospects, and, above all, the challenges facing our subregion. We are fully aligned on decisions and perspectives, and we will work closely to move forward. »

Concrete Steps Forward

Following the meeting, both presidents announced plans to establish joint task forces to address security concerns and foster economic integration. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic and military cooperation.

The visit concluded with a joint statement emphasizing the need for continued dialogue and collaboration between Abidjan and Nouakchott to overcome regional obstacles and promote sustainable development.