Diamniadio, Senegal – 20th April, 2026 – On the sidelines of the 10th Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, Senegal and Sierra Leone have signed a landmark Treaty of Cooperation in the fields of mines and energy, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.
The agreement was signed under the high chairmanship of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who also serves as Acting President of ECOWAS. Representing Senegal was Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs Sheikh Niang, while Sierra Leone’s delegation was led by Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources Julius Daniel Mattai.
The treaty reflects a shared conviction voiced at the forum earlier in the day: that energy and mining governance must serve as levers for structural transformation and shared sovereignty. By joining forces in two strategic sectors, Dakar and Freetown are signalling a commitment to harnessing Africa’s wealth for African‑driven development.
Officials said the partnership will strengthen cooperation in resource management, energy security, and sustainable mining, while reinforcing the principle that Africa must decide for itself how best to value and utilize its natural resources.
The signing underscores the growing role of the Dakar Forum as a platform not only for peace and security but also for advancing economic and strategic partnerships across the continent.
