Tripartite meeting between Senegal, Guinea, and Mali: strategic postponement and strong appeal for the authorities' commitment

The 14th edition of the Tripartite Week, a sub-regional cooperation framework bringing together the Kédougou region in Senegal, the Maali prefecture in Guinea, and the Keniéba district in Mali, will no longer be held on the originally announced dates. Scheduled from March 26 to April 2, the meeting has now been rescheduled for April 23 to 30, 2026, in Guinea. This decision was made at the request of the Guinean authorities and jointly approved by the three partner countries.

The announcement was made this Thursday in Kédougou by the Executive Bureau of the Tripartite (BET), during a press conference marked by insistent calls for increased support from public authorities.

Speaking to the press, the president of BET, Ousmane Bâ, wanted to clarify the reasons for this postponement.

"The Guinean Prime Minister expressed his wish to personally preside over the activities. The three countries considered this request and approved it in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect," he explained.

Beyond the simple adjustment of the schedule, Ousmane Bâ emphasizes the strategic importance of this edition. "This meeting is a unique forum for exchanges between our peoples. It allows us to strengthen historical ties and to provide concerted responses to common challenges," he added.

Security, environment and migration at the heart of the debates

This year, the Tripartite will focus on a central theme: cross-border security and social cohesion. Each country will highlight specific issues: Mali will address health and security matters, Senegal will focus on the environment and the sub-regional economy, while Guinea will tackle the challenges related to illegal immigration and integration.

Cultural and sporting activities will complement the program, in a dynamic of bringing communities closer together.

"Without resources, it's difficult to move forward."

But behind the stated ambition, the organizers point to major constraints. The Secretary General of BET, Hamady Diallo, also known as Pape Dayo, did not hide his concerns regarding the logistical and financial difficulties.

"This is the 14th edition in almost fifty years. This shows a certain slowness, largely due to a lack of resources," he lamented.

For this edition, the Kédougou region alone is planning a delegation of 150 participants, including 25 officials. "This requires significant resources that we struggle to mobilize each year," he explained.

A plea for strong institutional commitment

Faced with these challenges, the leaders of the Tripartite are making a clear appeal to the Senegalese authorities. Ousmane Bâ is calling for a more visible involvement of the State:

"We are requesting the support of our authorities. The presence of government officials would lend more weight and credibility to this event."

The Secretary General echoed this sentiment, seeing the Tripartite as a strategic instrument serving public policies.

"The issues we are addressing – security, environment, migration – are at the heart of our States' concerns. We call on the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the relevant ministers to fully commit themselves," insisted Hamady Diallo.

Towards sustainable institutionalization?

Beyond the 2026 edition, the organizers are calling for a thorough reform of the initiative's funding model.

"It is time to include the Tripartite in local budgets. We cannot continue to start from scratch every year to mobilize resources," the Secretary General insisted.

For him, the challenge is clear: to make the Tripartite a sustainable lever for sub-regional integration. "It is an essential tool for strengthening cooperation between our countries. It deserves support commensurate with its importance," he concluded.

Meanwhile, the next meeting is scheduled for the end of April in Guinea, with the hope that this 14th edition will mark a decisive turning point in the consolidation of this decades-old initiative.