Federal President Joachim Gauck and Daniela Schadt undertook official visits to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Mali from 8 to 12 February.

The visit to Nigeria from 8 to 11 February followed the democratic change of government last year in this key West African country. At first President Gauck travelled to Lagos, where he met with members of the Nigerian business community and culture professionals. He was accompanied by a business delegation on his trip to Nigeria.

The President’s political talks in the capital Abuja focussed on the challenges posed by international terrorism, managing refugee flows and displacement, as well as poverty reduction and economic development. Meetings took place in Abuja with religious dignitaries and civil society representatives. President Gauck held a speech at the headquarters of the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS).

On 12 February, President Gauck and Ms Schadt travelled to the Republic of Mali. Talks were held with the Malian President in the capital Bamako. Thereafter President Gauck met with German representatives from the field of development cooperation and from the EU Training Mission in Mali, from MINUSMA, from EUCAP Sahel Mali and from UNPOL, among others. In this way he paid tribute to the work of German soldiers, police officers and civilians, and to Germany’s international engagement in Mali in general.

Overview of the programme:

Monday, 8 February 2016

• Arrival in Lagos, Nigeria
• Lagos State House
  Talks with Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor

Tuesday, 9 February 2016

• Freedom Park
  Visit to the memorial
  Thereafter
  Talks with Mr Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate in Literature
• Hotel InterContinental
  Lunch with German and Nigerian business representatives
• Boat trip on Lagos Lagoon; urban development explained
• Hotel InterContinental
  Reception hosted by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria

Wednesday, 10 February 2016

• Arrival in Abuja
• ECOWAS Headquarters
  Talks with Mr Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
• Speech by President Gauck to ECOWAS
• Thought Pyramid Art Center
  Lunch with Nigerian authors
• New Kuchigoro refugee camp
  Tour and talks with camp management staff and with refugee and women’s representatives
• Ambassador’s Residence
  Talks with civil society representatives

Thursday, 11 February 2016

• State House
  Welcome with military honours by Mr Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
  Thereafter
  Talks
• Joint press conference
• Senate
  Meeting with the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament and other Members of Parliament
• Ambassador’s Residence
  Talks with religious representatives
• State House
  Dinner hosted by the President of Nigeria

Friday, 12 February 2016

• Bamako-Sénou airport, Mali
  Welcome with military honours by Mr Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of the Republic of Mali
• Koulouba Presidential Palace
  Talks with the Malian President
  Thereafter
  Statements to the press
• Parc National
  Talks with German development cooperation representatives, members of German NGOs and political foundations
  Thereafter
  Reception hosted by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mali
• EUTM Headquarters
  Talks with German members of the EUTM, EUCAP Sahel Mali, MINUSMA and UNPOL missions
• EUTM Forward Headquarters in Koulikoro
  Visit to two training stations
• Camp Gecko
  Talks with German soldiers
• Flight to Berlin