Sisi, Nigerien president review security challenges in Sahel region

CAIRO – 11 December 2019: Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou on Wednesday met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and reviewed the growing security challenges in the Sahel region, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.

Meeting on the sidelines of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in Africa held in Egypt for the first time, the two leaders discussed these challenges, which have emerged due to the spread of terrorist organizations and the increase in the number of their members.

During the meeting, President Sisi offered condolences to the Nigerian president after an attack on a military camp in Niger close to the border with Mali, which left around 70 soldiers killed, according to Reuters.

As Islamic State-related militants and Al-Qaeda terrorist organization have been responsible for many attacks in the African country, the attack is believed to be of a terrorist nature.



Sisi, during his speech at the forum, highlighted Egypt’s war against terrorism including the fight in Sinai as well as along the western borders with Libya, and affirmed the need to reach a “peaceful” political solution to the Libyan crisis.

Sisi affirmed the need for the African nations to respond collectively against terrorism.

Sisi opened Wednesday the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in Africa, the first to be held in the Upper Egyptian city of Aswan, the capital of African youth.

A number of African heads of state and government, as well as officials, are taking part in the event meant to open new channels toward achieving peace and sustainable development in the continent.

Attending the inauguration of the forum were Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aly Abdel Aal.

The two-day forum comes upon an initiative by President Sisi immediately after assuming the chairmanship of the African Union.

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Additional reporting by MENA