A cross-border agricultural cooperative made up of 50 members and a local cross-border peace committee comprising 30 members were established in N’Gandana, the last Ivorian village on the border with Mali, located in the sub-prefecture of Bougou (M’Bengué Department, Poro Region). This took place during the official launch of the 2026 edition of the African Border Day (ABD) in Côte d’Ivoire on June 18.
The event was held in the presence of the Executive Secretary of the National Border Commission of Côte d’Ivoire (CNFCI), Diakalidia Konaté, and the Prefect of the Kadiolo Circle, Bakary Diakité, representing the Ivorian and Malian delegations respectively, along with several other officials, border village chiefs, and stakeholders.
In order to ensure a successful start to the activities of the cross-border agricultural cooperative, the CNFCI provided 80 sets of agricultural inputs including watering cans, hoes, machetes, sprayers, herbicides, seeds, and more.
Souleymane Traoré from Mali and Nayèrèman Konaté from Côte d’Ivoire, both members of the cooperative, expressed their gratitude to the CNFCI, stating: “This is proof that our countries care about those of us living in border areas. We will make good use of it.”
In addition, a motorcycle, a computer, a printer, and a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) were handed over to the sub-prefecture of Bougou. The border police also received computer equipment, while two tents and 25 chairs were provided to the N’Gandana monitoring and awareness committee.
As part of efforts to improve the living conditions of cross-border populations, the CNFCI also constructed an Improved Village Hydraulics System (HVA) for N’Gandana. This facility, which will supply drinking water to more than 3,000 people, was officially handed over during the event, to the great relief of beneficiaries.
“This HVA adds to the existing one. It will reduce the difficulty of accessing water, especially since we are in a very hot and remote area. We thank the Ivorian government through the CNFCI,” said Oumar Soro, a native of the village.
Initiated by the African Union (AU) under its Border Program, the celebration of African Border Day aims to eliminate sources of tension at state borders and transform border areas into spaces of peace, security, and integration conducive to harmonious economic, social, and cultural development.
According to Diakalidia Konaté, Côte d’Ivoire has 675 villages along its borders with neighboring countries (Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Liberia).