Somalia Joins CEN-SAD Talks on Regional Cooperation and Institutional Reforms

GOOBJOOG NEWS | TRIPOLI: Somalia is taking part in a meeting of the Executive Council of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) in Libya, where member countries are discussing institutional reforms and plans to strengthen the regional organisation.

Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali is representing Somalia at the meeting in Tripoli, which is scheduled to open on Saturday. The discussions are expected to focus on restructuring CEN-SAD and strengthening its institutional framework ahead of the next summit of heads of state and government from member countries.

Somalia, which joined the organisation in 2001, is expected to share its views on the role of the Horn of Africa in promoting regional peace, security and economic integration.

The meeting comes amid efforts to revive CEN-SAD’s operations and restore its institutional capacity. The organisation’s executive headquarters in Tripoli reopened in April 2026, as Libya and other member states pushed to reactivate the bloc.

Founded in 1998, CEN-SAD brings together African countries from across the Sahel and Sahara regions, with a mandate to promote economic cooperation, development, peace and security.

Somalia’s participation provides an opportunity to engage with member states on regional priorities and strengthen its diplomatic ties with countries across North and West Africa.