Libya’s Foreign Minister, Abdel-Hadi al-Hwaij, from the Parliament-designate government, recently held talks with his counterparts from Niger and Burkina Faso. The discussions centered on the latest political developments in the Sahel and Sahara regions.
Al-Hwaij expressed his congratulations to Niger and Burkina Faso for the lifting of blockades previously imposed by ECOWAS countries, highlighting the spirit of cooperation among these nations.
The talks explored avenues for political and economic cooperation, emphasizing joint efforts across various sectors.
In a related discussion in December, Libyan Prime Minister Osama Hammad addressed migration and border security issues with Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Sangare, and the Special Envoy to the President of Niger. These discussions, held in Benghazi, Libya, focused on mutual concerns, particularly migration and security along their shared borders. Libya’s Minister of African Affairs, Issa Abdel-Majeed, also participated in these talks.
Abdel-Majeed had previously met with Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, and Foreign Minister Bakary Sangare to discuss illegal migration and bilateral cooperation. This meeting, conducted in Dirk, Niger, close to the Libyan border, included discussions on the potential opening of a consulate in Sebha, Libya.
Notably, the Military Council in Niger, led by Abdel-Rahman Tian, repealed legislation criminalizing migrant smuggling in response to European sanctions. This policy shift underscores the complex dynamics of migration in the region, with Libya becoming a significant transit point for illegal migration to Italy, rivaling numbers from Tunisia. This trend is attributed to the breakdown of security infrastructure in Libya’s western regions and militia dominance, contributing to the country’s role as a hub for human trafficking and illegal immigration activities.
