The governor of Guinea's Boké region, El Hadj Aboubacar Diakité, has been on a three-day visit to Senegal, attending a workshop focused on validating legal texts for the Local Grouping of Cross-Border Cooperation (GLCT). This initiative, part of the Resilience Enhancement Program in Border Areas (RéZo), is funded by the European Union and Germany through GIZ. The workshop aims to solidify cooperation between local territories.
During the workshop, Governor Diakité emphasized the need for a strong and protective legal framework to ensure effective cross-border cooperation between Guinea and Senegal. He also urged member countries to pool their efforts to promote joint projects, enhance dialogue among local actors, and contribute to securing the border area. This cooperation involves prefectures in Guinea and Senegal.
The RéZo program, implemented by GIZ and co-financed by the European Union and Germany, supports the GLCT, which comprises prefectures in Guinea and Senegal. The program seeks to harmonize local development, improve access to basic infrastructure, and strengthen social cohesion in the border region. This initiative reflects a broader effort to enhance regional cooperation.
Governor Diakité's advocacy for a robust legal framework highlights the challenges faced by cross-border cooperation initiatives. Inadequate legal structures can hinder the effective implementation of joint projects and cooperation among local stakeholders. His call for mutual efforts underscores the importance of collaborative approaches to addressing these challenges.
The GLCT brings together prefectures from Guinea and Senegal, specifically Koundara in Guinea and Salémata and Vélingara in Senegal. By fostering cooperation among these regions, the GLCT aims to promote socio-economic development and improve living conditions for local populations. Enhanced cooperation can lead to better infrastructure and services.
The Resilience Enhancement Program in Border Areas (RéZo) is crucial in addressing the unique challenges faced by border regions. By focusing on resilience and cooperation, the program contributes to regional stability and development. The involvement of international partners like the European Union and Germany underscores the global interest in supporting such initiatives.
The workshop in Senegal represents a significant step towards finalizing the legal texts that will govern cross-border cooperation between Guinea and Senegal. Once validated, these texts are expected to facilitate more effective collaboration and coordination among local authorities, ultimately benefiting the communities in the border regions.
Key points
- Governor El Hadj Aboubacar Diakité advocates for a strong legal framework to support cross-border cooperation between Guinea and Senegal.