The outgoing president of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, paid a farewell visit to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan on Wednesday, as his four-year term at the helm of the West African bloc’s executive body draws to a close.
Touray was received at the presidential residence in Cocody, where he thanked Ouattara for his support and guidance throughout his mandate, according to the Ivorian presidency. He also expressed gratitude to the Ivorian government and people for their backing during his time in office.
“The purpose of my visit is really to bid farewell and express my thanks to President Alassane Ouattara, the government and the people of Côte d’Ivoire for the commitment and support I benefited from during my mandate,” Touray told reporters afterward.
The two leaders discussed regional economic, social, political and security issues, Touray said, without giving further detail.
Touray, a Gambian diplomat, took office as ECOWAS Commission president in July 2022. His mandate, along with that of the rest of the current Commission leadership, is due to expire at the end of August.
The Abidjan visit follows a similar farewell stop in Abuja last week, where Touray met Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and credited him with helping reduce tensions across West Africa during his tenure.
