After Years of War… Libya Hosts the African Intelligence Summit

22nd August 2025

2 minutes read

After Years of War… Libya Hosts the African Intelligence Summit

The Libyan city of Benghazi is hosting the 20th Conference of African Security and Intelligence Services (CISSA) from August 24 to 26.

Held under the theme “Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward”, the summit brings together the heads of security and intelligence agencies from 53 African countries. It marks the first continental conference hosted by Libya since years of war and division.

Libya has assumed the chairmanship of CISSA for 2025, under the leadership of Hussein Al-Ayeb, head of Libyan intelligence, who will preside over the organization this year.

The Libyan Intelligence Media Center emphasized that holding the conference in Benghazi stands as “evidence of Libya’s regained trust within the international community.” It further stressed that the discussions will focus on strengthening collective security, developing rapid response mechanisms through regional peacekeeping forces, and promoting good governance, transparency, and economic cooperation to address the root causes of crises across the continent.

The proceedings began on Thursday with closed-door meetings of the preliminary experts’ committee, which will work over three days to draft strategic recommendations to be directly submitted to the heads of African security and intelligence services, with the aim of formulating swift and practical decisions to counter the continent’s escalating security challenges.

Key issues on the agenda include counterterrorism, enhancing intelligence-sharing to confront extremist groups, irregular migration and joint mechanisms to address its security and economic repercussions, as well as transnational organized crime — including the fight against arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. Cybersecurity and the protection of Africa’s digital infrastructure from mounting threats are also among the main priorities.

The Political Dimension of the Summit

Observers note that this event goes beyond being a mere technical security meeting. It is seen as a political signal of Libya’s return to the regional stage after years of conflict, capitalizing on its strategic location as a gateway between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Through its CISSA presidency, Libya seeks to present itself as a “bridge of African cooperation” capable of hosting joint security and development initiatives.

The summit also serves as a test of Libya’s ability to manage African cooperation dossiers, at a time when the continent faces unprecedented challenges ranging from cross-border terrorism to migration and organized crime.

Holding the CISSA presidency offers Libya a chance to solidify its role within the African sphere and to link its internal security with the stability of the continent as a whole.

CISSA

Founded in 2005, the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) serves as a cooperation platform bringing together the continent’s intelligence agencies. Its mission is to unify efforts against terrorism, organized crime, irregular migration, and human trafficking.

CISSA plays a pivotal role in strengthening the intelligence capacities of its member states and coordinating cross-border security operations.