On Tuesday, the Deputy Head of Libya’s Presidential Council, Moussa Al-Koni urged the European Union to intensify its efforts in supporting and achieving security and stability in the Sahara region.
This came during a session between Libyan and European Union experts to outline the roadmap for the “One Sahara” initiative.
He said that the session is “evidence of the insistence of the countries of the region to continue trying to heal the rift in the Sahara region.”
He emphasised the need for the EU to “double its efforts in supporting these endeavours to achieve security and stability in the unified Sahara region.”
The One Sahara initiative is a regional project launched by the EU through its mission to assist in border management in Libya (EUBAM), and the Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell for the Sahel region. It aims to coordinate cross-border cooperation efforts in the Sahel region, comprising six countries: Libya, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.
In his address, Al-Koni highlighted the importance of stabilizing the situation in the Greater Sahara region. He stated that “any negative developments would affect the countries in the region, while positive actions would contribute to stability.”
He expressed concerns about the potential involvement of Niger in a war that would disrupt its security situation, and have a negative impact on the region, especially Libya. These concerns arise from the political developments following the military coup in Niger, and calls from international parties for a military operation to restore constitutional order.
Through the initiative, a roadmap will be established, taking into account border management practices, combating transnational crimes, and enhancing trade and development, according to a previous statement by the European Union.
The latest meeting of initiative members took place in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott in May 2023.