Niger and Benghazi authorities seal non-aggression pact
The agreement aims to prevent a proxy conflict, with the UAE and Algeria vying for influence in Fezzan.
Niger and Benghazi authorities have agreed to a non-aggression pact to avoid a proxy conflict. Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine landed in Benghazi on Sunday, November 1, 2025, where he met Saddam Haftar, the vice-commander of the Libyan National Army. This meeting followed an impromptu visit that surprised many observers.
The pact seeks to de-escalate tensions in the Fezzan region, where both the United Arab Emirates and Algeria are engaged in a direct struggle for influence. Images from the meeting showed a cordial handshake between the two leaders, signaling a potential shift in regional dynamics.
Niger's President Abdourahamane Tiani had previously awarded Saddam Haftar the Order of National Merit, Niger's highest honor, in Niamey on May 22, 2025. This exchange of high-level diplomatic gestures underscores the complex geopolitical maneuvering in the Sahel.
Why it mattersNiger's Prime Minister met with Libyan military leader Saddam Haftar to establish a non-aggression pact, impacting regional stability and influence by Algeria and the UAE.