The President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, accompanied by a high-level delegation, arrived in Niamey on Sunday for a friendship and working visit as part of his tour of the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS).
Upon arrival at Diori Hamani International Airport, President Mahama received a warm welcome from Niger’s Head of State, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, alongside Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, members of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), government officials, diplomats, traditional and religious leaders, and the Ghanaian community in Niger.
Following the playing of national anthems, the two leaders inspected a guard of honour before engaging in a brief meeting at the presidential lounge of the airport. Their discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral ties, regional security, and political cooperation between Ghana and the CSS bloc.
President Mahama’s visit to Niger follows his earlier visit to Mali, where he reaffirmed the CSS as an “irrevocable reality” and emphasised the need for constructive dialogue between CSS and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
It will be recalled that in a speech in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, shortly before he departed for Mali and Niger, Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to play a mediating role between ECOWAS and the three CSS countries.
“I come with a new mandate from the Ghanaian people and a desire to serve as a bridge between ECOWAS and these nations. The objective is to work together to keep them anchored in our sub-region,” he said.
However, Mahama also reiterated that he could not impose any decision on sovereign countries regarding their regional membership.
His tour will conclude in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where he is set to meet with Captain Ibrahim Traoré on Monday, March 10, to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation.
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