On 11 February 2021, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, outgoing President handed over the Presidency of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) to the Republic of Mali, incoming President, represented by H.E. Mr Mohamed Sidda DICKO, Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Keeper of the Seals. This handover ceremony took place in Bamako (Mali) at the BAMAKO International Conference Centre (CICB), in the presence of the Minister of Economy and Finance, H. E. Mr Alousséni SANOU, the Heads of Government Institutions, the Ambassadors of OHADA member States, the technical partners, the regional and international organisations, the business circles, the legal and judicial professions and the Permanent Secretary of OHADA, Professor Emmanuel Sibidi DARANKOUM, representing the Organisation pursuant to Article 40 of the OHADA Treaty.

The handover ceremony was chaired by H.E. Mr. Moctar OUANE, Prime Minister, Head of Government of the Republic of Mali.

Two speeches made it:

• the opening address by the Permanent Secretary of OHADA.
• the speech of the incoming President of the Council of Ministers,

In his opening address, the Permanent Secretary of OHADA, Prof. Emmanuel Sibidi DARANKOUM, stated that the Republic of Mali will preside over the destiny of the Organization for the year 2021.

He recalled the important role played by Mali during its presidency in 2006.

He specified that the presidency of the Council of Ministers is held in rotation and in alphabetical order for a period of one year by each State Party. He outlined the functions of the Council of Ministers and indicated that the Presidency of the Republic of Mali is a cause for hope, because of the previous presidency which had been a resounding success.

He concluded his address by extending his sincere thanks to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for its 2020 presidency of OHADA and congratulated the Republic of Mali for the honour of presiding over our common Organization for the second time.

Taking the floor, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Sidda DICKO, Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Keeper of the Seals of Mali, incoming President of the Council of Ministers of OHADA expressed his very great gratitude to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for its action in the presidency of OHADA throughout the year 2020, mainly characterised by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that by inheriting the presidency, his country appreciates the honour, as well as the responsibility that derives from it. He recalled that this is the second time the Republic of Mali will have the honour to preside over the destiny of OHADA in this year 2021.

He indicated that his country would spare no effort to ensure not only the consolidation of the achievements, but also new successes for OHADA.

The official ceremony was followed by a working session between the Permanent Secretary of OHADA and the sitting President of the Council of Ministers at the Ministry of Justice. They reviewed major issues that deserve to be brought to the attention of the new President.

The Permanent Secretary of OHADA transferred the Presidency's attributes namely: the OHADA big flag to the attention of the President of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of OHADA, H.E. Mr. Bah N'DAW, President of the Transition of the Republic of Mali, the small flag, the mallet and its accessory to the incoming President of the Council of Ministers.

The Permanent Secretary thanked the Malian authorities for being a great host and for the diligence with which they handled the handover ceremony of the Presidency of OHADA between the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Mali.

Prof. Emmanuel Sibidi DARANKOUM
www.ohada.org