Sudan’s defence minister to attend Sahel-Saharan meeting in Egypt
March 22, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s defence minister Awad Ibn Ouf has received an invitation from his Egyptian counterpart Sedki Sobhi to participate in the fifth meeting of the defence ministers of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) between 23 to 25 March in the sea resort of Sharm El-Shiekh.
The two sides also discussed issues of common concern besides ways to promote cooperation between the two nations in all domains particularly with regard to issues of national security.
The defence ministers’ meeting would discuss a number of topics including the security threats, ways of cooperation in the political and military areas to combat terrorism, illegal migration, smuggling and drug trafficking.
The CEN-SAD was established in February 1998 by six countries, but since then its membership has grown to 27. One of its main goals is to achieve economic unity through the implementation of the free movement of people and goods in order to make the area occupied by member states a free trade area.
Member states of the Sahel-Saharan community include : Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, the Comoros, Eritrea, Chad, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Gambia, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea Conakry, Sao Tome and Principe.
(ST)