Tripoli:Taher Al-Baour, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Vice-President of the Executive Council of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), has emphasized Libya's unwavering commitment to the organization. He acknowledged Libya's significant role in hosting the headquarters and establishing pivotal institutions like the Sahel-Saharan Bank for Investment and Trade. Al-Baour underscored Libya's steadfast support for the organization's objectives and its advocacy in African and international forums.
According to Libyan News Agency, Al-Baour addressed the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the Assembly in Tripoli, where he reflected on the challenges faced by Libya since 2011, which led to the temporary relocation of the Assembly's headquarters. This move was described as a profound loss for both Libya and the Assembly. He reported that the headquarters had resumed operations on April 11th, following an assessment mission that confirmed it met all necessary requirements.
Al-Baour noted the findings of the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, which identified the region as the most affected by terrorism, accounting for nearly half of all global deaths from terrorist attacks in 2025. He also highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan, a founding member of the Assembly, and emphasized the interconnected security and stability of the region's countries, noting that Libya is not immune to these challenges.
He further detailed data from the International Organization for Migration, which shows approximately 944,000 migrants in Libya, including over 325,000 Sudanese. Al-Baour reaffirmed Libya's welcoming stance towards migrants, grounded in values of brotherhood and neighborliness, while advocating for shared responsibility in managing migration.
Al-Baour outlined five priorities for Libya within the organization, starting with border security, and underscored the need to prevent desert regions from becoming havens for terrorist activities. Libya supports the swift adoption of a protocol for a counter-terrorism center and advocates for enhanced cooperation among agencies to monitor borders.
The session in Tripoli is addressing several agenda items aimed at strengthening the organization's role, developing its institutions, and following up on previous resolutions. It is expected to conclude with the adoption of decisions that would bolster the Assembly's effectiveness in achieving its goals and fulfilling the aspirations of its member states.