Dbeibah’s government strengthens partnership with Niger through a military cooperation agreement
Officials from the Government of National Unity discussed border security and the fight against irregular migration with the Nigerian Prime Minister.
Libya’s Government of National Unity and Niger signed a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation on Tuesday, during an official visit by Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine to Tripoli. In recent years, Tripoli authorities have sought to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries, particularly in security and military fields, to combat smuggling and terrorism.
The Libyan Ministry of Defence said in a statement that Deputy Prime Minister Salem Al-Zadma and Deputy Defence Minister Abdelsalam Al-Zoubi met with the Nigerian Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation in Tripoli.
The ministry added that the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Libya and Niger in a way that serves the interests of both countries, as well as several issues of mutual concern, particularly border security, combating irregular migration, and ways to further develop cooperation in this field. It noted that the meeting included the signing of a military cooperation memorandum of understanding, regarded as a foundation for launching joint cooperation and coordinated action.
Both sides also agreed to update a contact point to initiate coordination between them, including activating the Libyan–Nigerien Higher Committee, which would contribute to strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries and supporting development and stability efforts in the region.
Since the Dbeibah government came to power in 2021, Libya and Niger have placed increasing importance on security and military cooperation, driven by shared challenges in the Sahel and Sahara region. Coordination between the two sides focuses on securing Libya’s southern border with Niger, a key transit route for human trafficking networks, arms smuggling, and cross-border armed groups.
During Dbeibah’s visit to Niamey in 2023, both parties stressed that the stability of their countries depends on enhanced cooperation in combating irregular migration, terrorism, and organised crime. In recent years, there have also been exchanges of visits between military and security officials from both countries to develop coordination mechanisms and share information and expertise on border security. This cooperation reflects a growing recognition that transnational threats require closer partnership and sustained coordination to maintain regional stability.
On Monday, the Nigerien Prime Minister began an official visit to Tripoli to explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in several areas of mutual interest, according to a previous statement from the Government of National Unity.
During the visit, Zeine met with the head of the Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid Dbeibah, to discuss enhancing economic and investment partnerships and supporting regional connectivity and infrastructure projects serving the common interests of both countries.
On 29 September 2021, Dbeibah and then-Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum agreed to establish the Libyan–Nigerien Higher Committee during a visit by the Libyan Prime Minister to Niamey. That visit included discussions on strengthening economic relations and expanding investment and trade cooperation.
