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Senegal and Sierra Leone have formalized a new phase of bilateral relations with the signing of a Treaty of Cooperation focused on the mining and energy sectors.
The agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, highlighting the expanding scope of the forum beyond traditional security discussions.
The treaty was signed under the leadership of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who currently serves as Acting President of the ECOWAS.
Representing Senegal at the signing was Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Niang, while Sierra Leone’s delegation was led by Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources Julius Daniel Mattai.
According to officials, the agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in key areas such as resource management, energy security, and sustainable mining practices. Both countries emphasized the importance of aligning their natural resource strategies to promote long-term economic development and regional stability.
The treaty reflects a broader policy direction discussed at the forum, where leaders underscored the role of energy and mining governance as drivers of structural transformation. By deepening cooperation in these sectors, the two nations signaled a shared intention to maximize the value of Africa’s natural resources through coordinated, African-led initiatives.
Observers note that the partnership also reinforces calls for greater sovereignty in how African countries manage and utilize their resources.
The agreement positions both Dakar and Freetown to potentially benefit from shared expertise, joint investments, and coordinated policy frameworks.
The development further illustrates the evolving role of the Dakar Forum as a platform for fostering not only dialogue on peace and security but also practical economic and strategic partnerships across the continent.
