West African bloc rejects Nigeria’s claims on Sahel security
The Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso, Jean Marie Traoré, summoned the Nigerian Chargé d’Affaires in Ouagadougou following remarks made by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu regarding the alleged insecurity in the three member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This move was confirmed by the Burkinabè Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting was held in the presence of the Chargés d’Affaires from the Embassies of Mali and Niger, the two other AES member nations, to underscore a “united and solidary stance” within the Confederation.
Nigerian leader’s comments spark regional tension
The issue stems from a statement made by President Tinubu on July 30, during which he allegedly claimed that insecurity in the AES region was worsening Nigeria’s security situation. He attributed this to a rise in terrorist attacks and kidnappings within his country.
Speaking on behalf of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Minister Traoré expressed the Confederation’s “deep regret” over these remarks, calling them “inaccurate and inconsistent with the spirit of solidarity” expected among neighboring states facing a shared threat. He described Tinubu’s analysis as “hasty, oversimplified, and surprising.”
“We would have preferred a more accurate portrayal of the security context,” Traoré stated. “Instead of unfairly shifting blame to neighboring countries, it risks fueling misunderstandings and frustrations among peoples bound by history, geography, and brotherhood.”
He emphasized that the AES nations “are not responsible for our challenges. We bear the consequences, but the true adversaries lie elsewhere. That is why we must act as brotherly nations (…) facing a common threat.”
The Burkinabè Foreign Minister clarified that the AES countries’ approach was “neither confrontational nor aimed at sparking diplomatic disputes,” but rather reflected a commitment to open dialogue. “Only sincere cooperation will enable us to overcome the security challenges plaguing our subregion,” he added.
The Nigerian Chargé d’Affaires acknowledged the AES ministers’ message, agreeing to relay it to Abuja. He praised their focus on dialogue and solidarity in combating terrorism while recognizing the AES’s ongoing efforts against this scourge.
