17 June 2008… The 16th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) began on June 15th, in Cotonou, Benin. Egypt is represented in the council meetings by Deputy Assistant Minister, Ambassador Sanaa Atallah. The meeting will witness the participation of a number of Foreign Ministers of CEN-SAD member states and African officials. The opening speeches focused on the importance of the CEN-SAD role in establishing peace, combating desertification, immigration problems and readmission of immigrants, and increasing the development rates in the member states. A general discussion also tackled the security situation within the CEN-SAD. A new CEN-SAD board was formed and Benin was chosen as chairman of the community.