On Friday, 14 February, at the Maison de la Musique in Nanterre, the cities of Nanterre (France) and Pikine (Senegal) formalised their twinning. They intend to join forces to strengthen their collaboration in key areas such as education, culture, sport and ecological transition.

Two municipalities, one creed
Signed by Mayors Raphaël Adam (Nanterre) and Abdoulaye Thimbo (Pikine), this agreement enshrines a long-standing relationship between the two cities, initiated in 2011 and strengthened by their joint commitment within the Forum of Local Authorities of the Periphery (FALP). These two suburban metropolises share similar challenges: rapid urbanization, social inclusion, access to public services and tackling inequality. “This partnership is based on shared values of participatory democracy, social justice and citizen empowerment,” said the two mayors. Two former mayors of the city of Pikine were present at this ceremony including Alioune Badara Diouck.

New Alliance: New North-South Relationship
This twinning has a particularity: it is not based on a classical scheme where the richest commune plays the role of benefactor by providing solutions to all the problems of the other. With this signature, it is a win-win partnership between two municipalities to ensure long-term financing and to involve the people in public works. By establishing a formal framework for cooperation, Pikine and Nanterre will foster the sharing of experiences and promote a dynamic of sustainable and inclusive development.

Twinning, a network of concrete exchanges
This partnership, as the two elected officials have announced, will not be limited to a declaration of intent. Concrete actions are planned in several strategic sectors, notably in the field of culture and arts. This will lead to joint artistic exchanges and festivals. In the area of sport and youth, both municipalities are planning to run inter-city tournaments and youth exchange programs. Regarding access to rights and solidarity, increased support for women victims of violence and a strengthening of social policies are planned. Finally, in terms of ecological transition, the two cities intend to develop joint projects around waste management, renewable energy and combating climate change.

A symbol of friendship between peoples
Beyond the local issues, this alliance is part of a broader perspective: that of decentralized international cooperation. These two municipalities learn a lot from each other. This twinning reflects the need to forge links between cities around the world, enhancing their complementarities and building bridges between cultures and territories. “This union will contribute to the development of friendship and understanding between peoples, while contributing to the consolidation of peace,” said the mayors at the ceremony. The evening concluded with a concert by Senegalese artist Faada Freddy. With this partnership, Nanterre and Pikine affirm their will to work together for a future based on solidarity, innovation and respect for democratic values. A promising alliance that, beyond borders, demonstrates that the challenges of tomorrow are better met by more people.

This was in Abidjan on 20 January 2025. Several high-ranking political figures, including the President of the Senegalese National Assembly, El Hadji Malick Ndiaye, were present at this parliamentary session. The President of the Senegalese National Assembly, who was invited to this parliamentary session, spoke in a fraternal but solemn atmosphere.
Akwaba to the Ivorian
President Ndiaye was accompanied by a delegation from Senegal. And, with strong handshakes and hugs that his Ivorian counterpart, Adama Bictogo, wished the traditional Akwaba, welcome to him and the other members of his delegation. When Malick Ndiaye spoke, he used a language punctuated with metaphors and images to salute the spirit of hospitality of the Ivorians.

Call for African Unity Advocacy for a united Africa
In a brilliant speech, El Hadji Malick Ndiaye highlighted the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation between Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. Indeed, he urged both countries to join their efforts to address the political and economic challenges of Africa. “When the Senegalese Teranga meets the Ivorian Akwaba, it is a celebration of our common values of solidarity and peace,” he said. The laughter and applause were in the air when he compared thiéboudiène to the famous Ivorian attiéké. This very pictorial phrase has caused a general hilarity. Moreover, President Ndiaye did not fail to recall the historical ties between the two countries since independence. He also highlighted the proximity of their emblematic leaders, Léopold Sédar Senghor and Félix Houphouët-Boigny. “Our two nations share a unity of destiny and must continue along this path, strengthening their bilateral agreements,” he said, referring to the recent partnerships between the two states.

Advocacy for regional stability
In a few months, Côte d’Ivoire will host the presidential election. Aware that the electoral deadlines are crucial moments, the president of the Senegalese National Assembly stressed the importance of promoting peaceful and inclusive elections. This message of peace is in line with the words of Adama Bictogo who, at the beginning of the session, went in the same direction. Adama Bictogo announced that 25 priority bills in key areas such as human rights, environment and taxation will be reviewed.

A strong ECOWAS
El Hadji Malick Ndiaye reiterated the need to strengthen cooperation between West African parliaments. Indeed, in order to build a strong ECOWAS that will be at the service of people, it is necessary for States to stand together. In his speech, he said: “We must transform our regional space into a true economic and human community capable of meeting security and climate challenges.” In addition, the participation of the President of the Senegalese National Assembly at this session demonstrates his unwavering support for reaffirming relations between Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. It is this pan-African vision that the President of the Senegal parliament affirmed his commitment and that of Senegal to successful regional integration. This brotherhood, magnified in his speech, speaks of the need to build a united and prosperous Africa, where parliaments play a leading role. Undoubtedly, the Ivorian parliamentary session marks a turning point in the consolidation of relations between Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.

On 9 December 2024, the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, had a very eventful week in the French capital. A stop at the Invalides, a participation in the symbolic reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral and, to top it all off, a working lunch with Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée. The highlight of his visit to Paris. No. Obviously, he had not come to contemplate (only) the newly renovated gargoyles of Notre-Dame.
Two countries, a common priority
After a remarkable arrival on Saturday, one could even say that among the heads of state in Paris this weekend, the Bissau-Guinean head of state, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, was the guest “star” – of course far behind Elon Musk (more than a head of state) and Donald Trump. He shook hands, hugged, poured a few words into each other’s ears, multiplied official and unofficial meetings. During his working lunch with Emmanuel Macron, he reminded France that Guinea-Bissau does exist, even if it is not francophone. But we’re not going to be talking about such a trivial detail, because this is the first meeting of its kind between the two leaders. This is a testament to the strong ties that unite these two countries as they go beyond language barriers. We do not need to speak the same language to find strategic priority points for the development of key sectors in each of our countries.

France-Guinea-Bissau, Keyword: cooperation
The lunch included discussions on energy transition, strengthening health and education systems, cultural development and regional security. Among the projects envisaged, the construction of a French high school in Guinea-Bissau represents a major step forward for the country’s youth. Umaro Sissoco Embalo believes that this bilateral cooperation is part of a strategy for stability and sustainable development. Increasingly, the Guinean president Bissau has been very present on the international stage since 2020. Chairman of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), Embalo is a key interlocutor for western partners.

Embalo, not a fan of language
Umaro Sissoco Embalo has a quality, which could sometimes become a defect. This career military is a real African patchwork. As much as it allows him not to go unnoticed, it can be an obstacle in terms of diplomacy. Son of a corporal, descendant of Malian and Guinean lineages, Embalo embodies an Africa with plural identities. Frank, direct and without filter, his style is at odds with traditional diplomatic codes. Polyglot, he easily juggles between Portuguese, French, English and Spanish, which gives him a rare ease on the international scene. Embalo fully accepts this singularity that makes it almost impossible to do without him during the big meetings, despite the smallness of his country. Hence his presence in Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame and his exchanges with Emmanuel Macron testify to this ambition.

Oil-filled speeches on bilateral cooperation
Although Guinea-Bissau is not a francophone country, it remains a key African partner for France. This working lunch in the Élysée marks an important step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. For Embaló, it is not only a question of securing partnerships that are beneficial to his country, but also of consolidating his stature as an African leader committed to regional stability issues. That neither the size of a country nor the number of its inhabitants are an obstacle: it is enough to have charisma, substance, like Embalo.