Libya’s parliament in Benghazi approves maritime agreement with Turkey
On Tuesday, the eastern Libyan parliament in Benghazi unanimously approved a maritime agreement with Turkey to demarcate their maritime zones in the Mediterranean. It defines the boundaries of the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and continental shelves of both countries in the Mediterranean, which are also relevant for the exploration and exploitation of economic resources, including oil and gas reserves. The agreement also provides for diplomatic procedures to settle disputes and potential arrangements for the joint use of natural resources. The agreement had already been signed in November 2019 by Turkey and the internationally recognised government in Tripoli. However, in 2020, the eastern Libyan parliament had rejected its ratification, as well as that of a separate agreement on security and military cooperation with Turkey, and called for the severance of political relations with Ankara. With its latest decision, the parliament has reversed both resolutions from 2020.
Saddam Haftar, deputy commander-in-chief of the eastern Libyan armed forces, described the agreement as an opportunity to expand cooperation with Ankara and strengthen Libya’s economic presence in the Mediterranean. The Government of National Unity in Tripoli also welcomed the decision. In Greece, Egypt and Cyprus, however, the parliamentary resolution met with criticism. The Greek Foreign Ministry firmly rejected it on Tuesday. It argued that Turkey and Libya did not have opposing or adjacent coastlines that would provide a legal basis for the delimitation of maritime zones. Furthermore, the agreement disregarded the rights of Greek islands to their own maritime zones. Egypt also rejected the ratification on Wednesday, stating that it had no legal implications for the country. Cairo and Athens had signed their own agreement in August 2020 to delimit their exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean. Cyprus also condemned the ratification and described the memorandum as “illegal, null and void” and stressed “that it does not produce, in any way, legal effects against third states”. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated on Wednesday that the agreement infringed the sovereign rights of third states and was not in accordance with the law of the sea.
According to observers, the approval of the maritime agreement marks a turnaround in relations between Ankara and the eastern Libyan camp. Whilst Turkey provided military support to the government in Tripoli against Khalifa Haftar’s offensive during the 2019/2020 conflict – which escalated between rival factions in Libya following the fall of Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011 – it has in recent years expanded its contacts with his camp in the east. Turkish government representatives have visited Benghazi on several occasions. Contacts with the eastern Libyan armed forces have also been intensified. In early October, Al-Salihin Abdulnabi succeeded Aguila Saleh, the long-serving Speaker of Parliament. Abdulnabi had previously chaired the parliamentary friendship committee with Turkey. In July, Ankara and the eastern Libyan military command had also reached agreements on closer military cooperation.
The agreement’s ratification could help Ankara to underpin its maritime claims in the eastern Mediterranean and facilitate oil and gas exploration east of Crete. Experts also see the approval as a potential basis for a stronger Turkish military presence in eastern Libya. In Libya, both rival centres of power now support the maritime agreement – though this does not imply a broader political settlement for the country. Key points of contention regarding the national budget, the army and the electoral commission remain unresolved.
ECOWAS and AES negotiate a cooperation framework
On Saturday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) began formal ministerial-level negotiations on their future relations in Dakar for the first time. The meeting was chaired by Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Cheikh Niang, who is the current chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, and Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, the Burkinabe Minister for Energy and the head of the AES ministerial steering committee. Both sides agreed to set up joint thematic working groups. These are to prepare a framework agreement for future cooperation and submit their results to the ministers for review before the next ministerial round. When and where this will take place remains open.
According to media reports, the talks focused on, among other things, the free movement of people and goods, trade, and cooperation in the fight against terrorism. In a joint statement, both organisations reaffirmed their aim of creating a balanced and realistic cooperation framework that safeguards the interests of their populations. Future relations are to be based on good neighbourliness, mutual respect, sovereignty and human dignity. Niang described the talks as an important step towards reshaping relations and stressed that the agreed principles must now be translated into concrete measures. He advocated a gradual and pragmatic approach that benefits the people of the region. Jean-Marie Traoré also assessed the talks positively. They had confirmed shared priorities and principles for future relations. At the same time, he reaffirmed the AES’s willingness to develop a new cooperation framework. The US also welcomed the meeting. The State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs called it the “first public high-level step toward cooperation between the two blocs.” Washington supports the dialogue, led by regional actors, for the long-term stabilisation of West Africa.
According to the World Bank (2024), around 37 per cent of goods imports to Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger came from the ECOWAS region. In addition, the three landlocked states depend on seaports in neighbouring countries for access to international trade. Mali mainly uses the ports of Dakar in Senegal and Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso uses the ports of Lomé (Togo), Abidjan and Tema (Ghana), among others. Niger traditionally handles a significant share of its imports via Cotonou in Benin.
The meeting in Dakar followed on from the first direct consultations between representatives of both organisations, which took place on 22 May 2025 in Bamako. It is regarded as an important step towards rapprochement following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS in January 2024 (Press Review CW 5/2024). This was preceded by growing tensions after the military coups in Mali (2020), Burkina Faso (2022) and Niger (2023). After the coup in Niger, ECOWAS imposed sanctions and threatened military intervention. In September 2023, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger founded the AES, which was later expanded into a confederation (Press Review CW 38/2023). Since the withdrawal, there has been no joint institutional framework for cooperation. Open questions mainly concern trade routes, free movement and cooperation in the fight against jihadist groups. Millions of people depend on cross-border trade, labour migration and existing transport links.
In other news
Today the fourth edition of the Luanda Biennale, the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence, comes to a close.This year, the two-day event focuses on how fair and inclusive water policy can help prevent conflict, mediate between conflict parties and safeguard peace in Africa. In doing so, it also takes up the African Union’s theme for 2026 on sustainable water supply and safe sanitation under Agenda 2063. Topics under discussion include cross-border cooperation in water use, the effects of water scarcity, climate change and migration, as well as investment and capacity building in the water sector. In addition, the aim is to strengthen the participation and leadership of women and young people in water policy and peacebuilding. The goal is to promote water diplomacy and expand regional cooperation in the shared use of water resources. The Biennale is organised by the African Union and the Angolan government in cooperation with UNESCO. First held in 2019, it serves as a pan-African platform for cultural exchange and intergenerational dialogue on peace.