Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN–SAD)

CEN–SAD Secretariat

10 Villas de N’djari, N’djamena – TCHAD (Temporary)
Téléphone : (+235) 22 53 21 31
E-mail : secretariat@sec-censad.org
Website : https://censad.int

Secretary-General: Ado ELHADJI ABOU, Niger (since 2023)

Purpose

CEN–SAD was formed in 1998 with the primary objective of promoting the economic, cultural,
political and social integration of its Member States. The Treaty establishing the Community,
revised in 2013, provides that the aims and objectives of CEN–SAD are to:

• Establish a comprehensive economic union with a particular focus on the agricultural, industrial, social, cultural and energy fields
• Adopt measures to promote free movement of individuals and capital
• Promote measures to encourage foreign trade, transportation and telecommunications among Member States
• Promote measures to coordinate educational systems
• Promote cooperation in cultural, scientific and technical fields.

Structure

CEN–SAD is governed by its Conference of Heads of State and Government. The organisation’s
structure includes the:

• Executive Council, which meets at ministerial level to implement Conference decisions
• Permanent Peace and Security Council to address security concerns
• Permanent Council in charge of sustainable development
• Committee of Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives
• General Secretariat, CEN–SAD’s executive body
• Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ESCC), which follows Executive Council directives
• Sahel–Saharan Investment and Trade Bank.

Meetings

The Conference of Heads of State and Government is scheduled to meet once a year in ordinary session, rotating among Member State capitals. It can meet in extraordinary session at the request of one Member State. The organisation’s most recent Conference of Heads of State and Government was held in February 2013 in N’Djamena, Chad.