Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with his Chadian and Libyan counterparts, Ahmed Kogri and Taher Al-Baour, on October 4, 2026, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation on counter-terrorism and reactivate CEN-SAD. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Al-Alamein-Africa 2026 Forum. The ministers focused on boosting coordination to address security challenges, terrorism, and organized crime in the Sahel-Saharan region.
The CEN-SAD community was established in February 1998 in Tripoli, Libya, and Egypt joined in 2001. It is one of eight regional economic communities recognized by the African Union. The community aims to promote regional integration, economic cooperation, and peace. Its member states include 25 countries from the Sahel, Sahara, and neighboring regions. The community seeks to facilitate the free movement of people, capital, and goods.
The ministers agreed to plan a ministerial meeting to reactivate CEN-SAD and optimize its capabilities. The meeting will focus on peace, security, counter-terrorism, and immigration. This step is preparatory to a summit of heads of state and government, which will aim to restore the community's functioning. This cooperation comes as Libya faces persistent political and security challenges.
Egypt plays an active role in CEN-SAD. In March 2016, it hosted a conference of defense ministers from member countries, leading to the establishment of a counter-terrorism center in Cairo in 2018. The center aims to enhance cooperation and coordination among member states to combat terrorism.
The Sahel-Saharan region faces significant security challenges, including terrorism and organized crime. The region's instability affects neighboring countries, making it essential for countries to cooperate to address these challenges. Egypt, Chad, and Libya's agreement to enhance cooperation is a step towards promoting regional stability.
The CEN-SAD community has undergone significant changes since its establishment. In 2013, its founding treaty was revised to establish specialized councils for peace, security, and sustainable development. The community has also sought to facilitate exchanges and free movement among member states.
The revitalization of CEN-SAD is expected to promote regional integration, economic cooperation, and peace in the Sahel-Saharan region. Egypt, Chad, and Libya's cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts is a significant step towards achieving these goals. The community's success will depend on the commitment of its member states to work together to address regional challenges.
Key points
- Egypt, Chad, and Libya agree to enhance cooperation on counter-terrorism and reactivate the Community of Sahel-Saharan States.
