From the APS special correspondent, Souleymane Faye
Nouakchott, January 12 (APS) – The Senegalese Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, arrived Sunday evening in Nouakchott for a two-day official visit devoted mainly to energy, transport, security and migration, Monday 13 and Tuesday January 14, noted the APS.
For this visit also called friendship and work, the head of government is accompanied by several ministers, including Yassine Fall, in charge of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, and Jean Baptiste Tine, that of the Interior and Public safety.
Birame Souleye Diop, the Minister of Energy, Oil and Mines, Yankhoba Diémé, Minister of Infrastructure, Land and Air Transport, and Fatou Diouf, Minister of Fisheries, Maritime and Port Infrastructure, are taking part.
The delegation led by Ousmane Sonko also includes the directors general of the National Agency responsible for the promotion of investments and major works, Bakary Séga Bathily, and of the Société des Petroles du Senegal, Alioune Guèye.
She was welcomed at Nouakchott international airport by several Mauritanian personalities, including the Prime Minister, Moctar Ould Diay.
”Seize all investment opportunities”
Mauritanians and Senegalese nationals came out in numbers to welcome Ousmane Sonko and the ministers who accompanied him. Pastef activists dressed in the colors of the ruling party were also present.
During his visit, ”the Prime Minister will meet Mauritanian employers, in the presence of Senegalese private sector players, to encourage them to create joint ventures and seize all investment opportunities,” indicate documents from the two governments.
He will meet the Mauritanian President, Mohammed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, on the second day of his visit, Tuesday January 14, at the presidential palace.
Mr. Sonko ”intends to discuss with his Mauritanian counterpart certain strategic issues in the areas, among others, of energy, transport, security and conditions of stay and establishment”, specifies the Prime Minister of Senegal.
The visit program includes bilateral ministerial meetings scheduled for Monday morning, January 13, according to documents received from both sides.
These discussions will focus on the project to create a Senegalese-Mauritanian secretariat responsible for cooperation and development, irregular migration, conditions of stay and establishment of Senegalese and Mauritanian nationals between the two countries, and the construction of the bridge. by Rosso.
“Very modest economic and commercial exchanges”
A meeting between Ousmane Sonko and his counterpart from Mauritania is planned for the same day, as well as a meeting extended to ministers from the two countries.
The national development program “Senegal 2050” will be presented to investors from both countries.
Will also be discussed ”economic and commercial exchanges which are very modest”, between the two countries, ”in view of the enormous potential for cooperation existing on both sides”.
Mauritanian Prime Minister Moctar Ould Diay and his Senegalese counterpart Ousmane Sonko at Nouakchott international airport
”From 43.1 billion CFA francs in 2019, trade flows between the two countries stood at 67.4 billion in 2023,” indicates the Prime Minister of Senegal.
She announces a meeting of the Prime Minister with the Senegalese community living in Mauritania.
“Positive repercussions are expected from Ousmane Sonko’s visit to Mauritania, which will contribute to the strengthening of the bonds of friendship and solidarity uniting the Senegalese and Mauritanian peoples”.
A “strategic partnership”
”Cooperation between Senegal and Mauritania […] has experienced a clear revival of dynamism since the coming to power of President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye,” says the Senegalese government.
He recalls that Mr. Faye, elected last March, made three official visits to Mauritania, and his Mauritanian counterpart went to Senegal twice during the same period.
”Numerous ministerial visits also took place during this period, including those of the Ministers of Agriculture and Livestock, Oil, Energy and Mines, Fisheries, as well as Infrastructure and Transport land and air,” adds the government.
Many Mauritanians and Senegalese living in Mauritania welcome Ousmane Sonko
The first Senegalese-Mauritanian economic forum was held on September 30 and 1is October 2024 in Dakar, a meeting followed by the 13e session of the large joint commission for cooperation between the two countries, on November 4 and 5, 2024 in Nouakchott.
”These various visits and meetings demonstrate an unprecedented intensification of cooperation between Senegal and Mauritania, under the leadership of the highest authorities of the two countries,” underlines the Prime Minister of Senegal.
She points out that ”this very positive dynamic is taking place within the framework of the strategic partnership around gas and oil, symbolized by the GTA (the natural gas deposit located on the maritime border of the two countries), which remains an example of success of a South-South partnership, moreover supported by two neighboring countries.
ESF/AB
