On Monday, August 12, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was received at the Koulouba Palace in Bamako by Mali’s transitional president, Colonel Assimi Goïta. This meeting marked his first official visit to Mali as head of government. During his visit, Sonko revealed his stance on Mali’s withdrawal from ECOWAS and its membership in the new Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Upon his arrival at the airport, Sonko was welcomed by his Malian counterpart, Prime Minister Choguel Maïga. After a brief exchange, Sonko met with President Goita to discuss critical issues, including regional security and opportunities for economic cooperation and development.
During the meeting, Sonko expressed his commitment to strengthening the historical and strategic ties between Senegal and Mali. “Senegal and Mali not only share a rich history but also common goals for the future,” Sonko stated.
On behalf of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Sonko also conveyed the Senegalese people’s condolences to Mali following the recent terrorist attacks on Malian Armed Forces in Kidal region.
“On the issue of the AES, the Prime Minister made it clear that Mali is a sovereign country just like Burkina Faso and Niger. He argues that these three countries must be respected in their choice. He also stressed that this position of Mali will not affect in any way the bilateral relations that exist between Bamako and Dakar”, read a statement from the Malian Presidency.
This visit marks a new chapter in the relationship between the two West African nations. Relations between Bamako and Dakar had cooled following Goita’s rise to power through a coup. However, with the new administration in Senegal after the departure of Macky Sall, who was heavily criticized by Malians for his close ties to former colonial power France, the situation appears to be improving.
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