The Senegalese capital hosted, from November 17 to 21, 2025 , an important high-level Malian mission to resolve the difficulties in transporting goods and to solve the crisis of the 2,400 containers blocked at the Autonomous Port of Dakar (PAD).

Led by Ms. Dembélé Madina Sissoko , Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Mali, the delegation was composed of key representatives of Shippers, Carriers and economic operators, underlining the desire to find operational and sustainable solutions.

🤝 Reaffirmation of Unity and Common Destiny

The visit began with a joint ministerial meeting between Ms. Sissoko and her Senegalese counterpart, Dr. Fatou Diouf , Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy.

Dr. Fatou Diouf opened the discussions by highlighting the depth of bilateral ties:

"Senegal and Mali are one and the same people , linked by history, geography, and families who find themselves on both sides of artificial borders."

Further emphasizing this fraternity, Ms. Dembélé Madina Sissoko stressed that bilateral relations are based on a shared destiny supported by the popular will, calling on both nations to "assume, without ever wavering, the shared destiny of fraternity and neighborliness."

🔑 The Vital Importance of the Dakar-Bamako Corridor

The urgency of the situation is measured by the importance of the Dakar-Bamako corridor, which represents the economic artery of Mali: nearly 60% of Malian foreign trade passes through this strategic axis.

The Malian Minister emphasized that this corridor is not merely a trade route, but a model of regional economic interdependence. She also paid tribute to the economic operators and drivers, observing a minute of silence in memory of the victims of insecurity along this route.

✅ Releasing Port Congestion: A Two-Part Action Plan

Faced with the immobilization of the 2,400 containers, the discussions, deemed "fruitful and constructive", resulted in a consensus: the immediate implementation of a pragmatic action plan focused on short and medium-term solutions.

This plan aims not only to quickly decongest the Port of Dakar , but also to sustainably improve the flow of traffic on the strategic axis .

This initiative is being led by Their Excellencies, General Assimi Goita (Mali) and Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal). The objective is to establish shared governance of the corridor to make it more fluid, secure, and competitive, directly benefiting the populations of both nations.

Work is currently continuing at the technical level to finalize the precise implementation details.

🎯 Next Steps

1. Part 1: Implementation of immediate measures for the removal of the 2,400 containers in distress.
2. Part 2: Establishing a shared governance framework to prevent future blockages and improve the security and competitiveness of the corridor.