Amid deepening ties between the European Union and West Africa, the EU’s Special Representative for the Sahel, João Cravinho, held a high-level courtesy meeting with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

The meeting, held on Tuesday June 24 2025 in Brussels, Belgium highlighted mutual interest in strengthening strategic collaboration to address the complex security and development challenges facing the Sahel and surrounding coastal states.

President Bio, recently elected as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, described the engagement as productive and forward-looking. “As the new Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, I am eager to collaborate with the EU to address the critical challenges facing our region,” he stated. “I believe that together we can make a significant impact.”

Special Representative, João Cravinho, congratulated President Bio on his appointment, calling it a recognition of his demonstrated leadership across the West African region. “We commend you for assuming this important responsibility. The European Union eagerly anticipates working closely with you to confront the region’s pressing issues,” João Cravinho said.

He further briefed the ECOWAS Chairman on his ongoing work in the Sahel, reiterating the EU’s goal of deepening its partnership with the region in order to promote peace, stability and inclusive development. João Cravinho also lauded President Bio’s personal and political journey, from military service to democratic leadership, describing it as “an inspiration across the Sahel.”

In response, President Bio thanked the European Union for its longstanding support and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to regional peacebuilding and institutional dialogue. He underscored the importance of engaging with transitional Governments in the Sahel and prioritizing security cooperation as a cornerstone of ECOWAS’s regional agenda.

“The Sahel States need special attention,” President Bio emphasized. “As Chairman of the Authority, I am determined to strengthen our dialogue and cooperation with the region’s leaders.”

The meeting concluded with both parties affirming their shared vision for a stable, secure and prosperous Sahel region. The European Union’s outreach through this courtesy call reflects its deepening commitment to working with ECOWAS under President Bio’s leadership to address the region’s most urgent challenges, including terrorism, governance transitions and humanitarian concerns.

The courtesy meeting marked a significant step toward reinforcing international collaboration and aligns with ECOWAS’s broader objectives of promoting regional integration, security and sustainable development.

 

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