On the sidelines of the Hajj pilgrimage 1447H, the Ivorian Minister of the Interior and Security, Vagondo Diomandé, spoke on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 with Abdel Fattah Bin Soulaiman Mashat, Saudi Vice Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

This bilateral meeting, which took place in the presence of the Ambassador of Ivory Coast to Saudi Arabia, Drissa Coulibaly, had the dual objective of evaluating the reception arrangements for Ivorian pilgrims and outlining new prospects for cooperation.

A warm welcome and the success of the "Tariq Makkah" program

In a statement released this Saturday, Minister Vagondo Diomandé expressed his satisfaction with the excellent relations between Abidjan and Riyadh. He particularly commended the logistical and organizational efforts undertaken by the Saudi authorities to best support Ivorian pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj.

The minister took advantage of this audience to convey the fraternal greetings of the Ivorian Head of State, Alassane Ouattara, before reiterating the country's gratitude regarding a key system:

The “Tariq Makkah” (Road to Mecca) program: Ivory Coast expressed its gratitude for its integration into this strategic initiative, which greatly simplifies the administrative and travel formalities of pilgrims directly from their point of departure.

Towards broader cooperation

Beyond the purely religious aspect, this exchange paved the way for a broader partnership. Both nations expressed their shared desire to strengthen their cooperation in two priority sectors:

1. The religious domain: To continue optimizing the organization of future pilgrimages.
2. The security field: To strengthen the sharing of expertise and address common challenges.

This working session is fully in line with the Ivorian authorities' proactive strategy, determined to guarantee their citizens a smooth and secure spiritual stay in the holy sites of Islam.