Niger signs cooperation deal with eastern Libya’s military leader Khalifa Haftar
Niger has signed a memorandum of understanding with Khalifa Haftar, the military commander of eastern Libya, to expand cooperation across various fields. This agreement, approved by Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine during his visit to Benghazi, signals closer ties with the eastern Libyan administration amid Libya's ongoing division between rival governments.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · date de l'événement : 2026-11-01
Niger signed a memorandum of understanding with eastern Libya’s military commander Khalifa Haftar on Sunday to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in various fields.
The agreement was approved by Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, who visited Benghazi, the de facto capital of eastern Libya controlled by Haftar and his faction, accompanied by political and military officials.
Niger shares a border of over 340 kilometres with Libya and has maintained relations with both Libya’s UN-recognised government in Tripoli and the rival eastern administration since Libya’s division in 2014.
This visit and agreement mark a rapprochement with the eastern Libyan authorities, even as Turkey hosts ongoing talks aimed at reunifying Libya’s eastern and western administrations.
Turkey, which has historically supported the Tripoli government, has recently warmed ties with eastern Libya and is facilitating discussions focusing first on military unification.
The cooperation deal between Niger and Haftar’s administration reflects the complex regional dynamics and Niger’s strategic interest in stabilizing its border area amid Libya’s prolonged instability since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.