AfDB and WAEMU Ombudsmen Join Forces for Regional Progress.

Wednesday 9th April 2025

Par inAfrika Reporter

The African Development Bank recently hosted a significant delegation from the Ombudsmen Association of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), marking a new chapter in strengthening governance and regional cooperation across West Africa. The high-level meeting, held at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, was led by Pascal Essou, the Ombudsman of Benin and President of the Association.

The delegation also included Adama Toungara, Ombudsman of Côte d’Ivoire and Secretary General of the Association; Demba Kandji, Ombudsman of Senegal and Treasurer; and Gustave Diasso, WAEMU’s representative in Côte d’Ivoire. The aim of the meeting was to establish strategic collaboration between the Bank and the Ombudsmen Association in areas such as rule of law, regional integration, and restoring public confidence in government institutions.

During the discussion, the Association presented its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, which is built around five major pillars: governance and the rule of law, performance and partnerships, peace and security, research, and institutional development and communication. These elements are designed to align with and support the Bank’s High 5 priorities and its broader 2020–2025 regional integration strategy for West Africa.

The Association, which was formed in 2008 and is based in Ouagadougou, brings together the ombudsman institutions from eight WAEMU member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. Its mission revolves around advancing administrative justice, protecting citizens’ rights, preventing conflicts, and ensuring the proper application of regional laws.

Joy Kategekwa, Director of the Regional Integration Coordination Office at the Bank, welcomed the delegation warmly and expressed admiration for the Association’s ongoing work. She emphasized how closely the Strategic Plan aligns with the Bank’s Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa (2022–2026). She also pointed out funding mechanisms that could support the Association’s objectives, such as the Transition Support Facility and the regional public goods financing window.

Kategekwa praised the Association’s plan to hold a roundtable in Dakar on April 29 to mobilize resources and strategic partnerships. This meeting is expected to pave the way for tangible outcomes that will boost regional integration and institutional effectiveness across WAEMU countries.