The President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, is making an official visit to Mauritania this Thursday, according to the Government Information Office (BIG). The visit is the Senegalese head of state’s first trip abroad since being sworn in on April 2, 2024.
BIG points out that this visit reflects President Faye’s desire to strengthen the historic ties between Senegal and its neighbours, particularly Mauritania, with which Senegal has long enjoyed friendly and exemplary relations.
The two countries work together in a variety of areas, including security, hydrocarbons, water, the environment, energy, fisheries, agriculture, public finance, tax and customs issues, as well as transport infrastructure and social issues.
This visit, which is due to last one day, is both a friendly meeting and a working opportunity, according to the Senegalese Presidency.
Mauritania was chosen because of the good relations between the two countries and the fact that Mauritanian President Ould Ghazouani is currently the current Chairman of the African Union.
A number of ministers are accompanying President Faye, including Yassine Fall (Integration and Foreign Affairs), Malick Ndiaye (Infrastructure), Fatou Diouf (Fisheries) and Birame Souleye Diop (Energy).
Topics on the agenda include the large GTA gas field, located on the maritime border between the two countries, whose exploitation, initially scheduled for 2022, has been delayed. The Senegalese president also wants to renegotiate gas and oil contracts.
Other issues, such as the construction of the Rosso Bridge on the Senegalese-Mauritanian border, which has been under way since 2021, should also be discussed, as should the renewal of fishing licences granted to Senegalese fishermen for access to Mauritanian waters. Mauritania grants 500 licences each year to Senegalese traditional
fishing boats.
In view of the jihadist threat in the region, President Faye is expected to discuss with his Mauritanian counterpart issues relating to security cooperation between the two countries.
ARD/ac/fss/abj/APA