Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya arrived in Abidjan for a 48-hour working and friendship visit, culminating in a high-profile meeting with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara at the presidential palace.
The encounter underscored a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between Ivory cost and Guinea amid shared regional challenges.
“Your visit gives us the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest with a view to further strengthening these excellent relations,” said President Ouattara during a joint press briefing following their talks.
The Ivorian leader described the discussions as “in-depth,” highlighting their focus on bilateral trade, economic development, and regional security.
He emphasized the importance of Guinea’s political transition, adding, “We also discussed the political situation in our two countries.
For several months, Guinea has been going through a crucial stage in its history and Ivory cost is obviously following with great interest this development as well as the efforts made to restore constitutional normality.”
Ouattara expressed his support for Guinea’s progress and Doumbouya’s 2040 development program, stating, “Our wish is to see Guinea regain its former glory and continue its march towards economic and social progress for the happiness of the Guinean people.”
On economic cooperation, Ouattara revealed that trade between the two nations rose by 78% in the past year, reaching nearly 100 billion CFA francs.
However, he noted this figure still falls short of reflecting their full economic potential. “We must do more and better,” he said, outlining plans for greater collaboration in mining and energy, infrastructure development, and cross-border connectivity projects.
Both leaders agreed to expedite the long-delayed third session of the Great Joint Commission for Ivorian-Guinean Cooperation and to accelerate work on delimiting the shared border.
Turning to regional instability, Ouattara said the security situation in the sub-region was “worrying” but reaffirmed Ivory cost’s commitment to support its neighbors in addressing political and humanitarian challenges, especially in the Sahel.
“I express the wish for the smooth running of the process initiated in Guinea and reaffirm to you the readiness of Ivory costCôte d’Ivoire to work to strengthen the historical relations of friendship, fraternity and cooperation between our two countries,” said Ouattara.
“I obviously hope for calm in Guinea for peaceful elections, as we intend to do in Côte d’Ivoire.”
In his remarks, President Doumbouya praised Ivory cost transformation under Ouattara’s leadership. “It is a great honor for me to make this visit to African soil and to Ivory cost, a symbol of strength, resilience, and beauty,” he said.
“I am here not only as President of the Republic of Guinea, but also as a brother, friend, and son of Africa.”
Doumbouya expressed gratitude for Ouattara’s support, noting, “We also know that you have played a role in helping your peers better understand the Guinean context.
I sincerely thank you for this; I am convinced that effective action is based on mutual trust, listening, and respect.”
In a call for deeper integration, he added, “It is time to raise this relationship to a higher level by cultivating a true friendship and further strengthening our brotherhood.”
As Ivory cost hosts a significant Guinean diaspora, Ouattara concluded by celebrating the community’s harmonious integration, describing them as living “in perfect harmony with their Ivorian brothers and sisters.”
The meeting, rich in symbolism and substance, signals a renewed era of cooperation between two key West African nations.
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