Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger express regret over Nigerian President Tinubu's remarks on Sahel security
On July 30, 2026, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu attributed the rise in kidnappings and terrorist attacks in Nigeria to the collapse of security in neighboring Sahel countries. He stated that some terrorists are not Nigerian and that insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger exacerbates Nigeria's difficulties. In response, Burkina Faso's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, met with Nigeria's Chargé d'Affaires in Ouagadougou, alongside his counterparts from Mali and Niger, to convey the deep regret of the three Confederation of Sahel States AES countries. This information was released on August 7, 2026, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The AES authorities consider President Tinubu's statements inaccurate and contrary to the spirit of solidarity among states facing terrorism. They believe the remarks minimize the sacrifices made by the fighting forces and populations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in combating armed terrorist groups. Burkina Faso's top diplomat advocated for discourse that promotes cooperation and shared responsibility, emphasizing that the military successes of AES countries benefit the entire sub-region. The Nigerian diplomat acknowledged the message, praised the AES countries' efforts against terrorism, and promised to report back to Abuja.
