Tripoli, Libya – In a diplomatic move reflecting Libya’s desire to regain its continental weight, the head of the “Interim National Unity” government, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, inaugurated on Saturday the permanent headquarters of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) in the heart of the capital, Tripoli, after the completion of comprehensive maintenance and development work on the building.
Reviving the African role
In his address during the opening ceremony, Dbeibah affirmed Libya’s commitment to restoring all ties with the African continent that had been severed in recent years. He described the reopening of the headquarters as a “real revival” of the organization’s role in serving African peoples after a decade of administrative and political stagnation. He emphasized that the maintenance and development of the building was “the best evidence of sincere intentions” toward joint African action. Dbeibah added, “Through this organization, we seek nothing but to serve our peoples and our countries,” pledging that Libya would dedicate all its resources to supporting the organization and ensuring the efficient performance of its tasks, thereby contributing to stability and development in the region.
Wide participation and modern facilities
The opening ceremony was attended by high-level official delegations from several member states, including Tunisia, Sudan, Somalia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Niger. The new headquarters comprises seven floors equipped with state-of-the-art technology, housing 59 administrative offices, 14 service facilities, and three main meeting rooms designed to host summits and ministerial meetings.
About the Community of Sahel-Saharan States
The Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) is one of the eight regional economic communities officially recognized by the African Union. Founded in Tripoli on February 4, 1998, CEN-SAD aims to promote economic integration and achieve sustainable development and security across the African continent. Currently comprising 25 African member states, the organization also holds observer status at the United Nations General Assembly, granting it international weight in addressing issues concerning the Sahel and Sahara regions and confronting transnational challenges such as irregular migration and economic development. Observers believe that the relocation of CEN-SAD headquarters to Tripoli sends a strong message about the stability of the Libyan capital and its capacity to once again host major regional institutions.
