On Thursday, Burkina Faso’s foreign minister, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, held consultations with Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires in Ouagadougou. The meeting followed recent statements by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding deteriorating security across the Sahel. Representatives from Mali and Niger also participated, underscoring the unified stance of the three AES member states.

Tinubu’s statements spark diplomatic exchange

During a July 30 gathering with Nigerian traditional leaders, President Tinubu suggested that Nigeria’s security challenges were exacerbated by instability in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. He claimed that some armed groups operating in Nigeria originate from neighboring countries. This assessment led Ouagadougou to formally communicate the AES’ position to Nigerian authorities through diplomatic channels.

During the discussions, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré emphasized that this perspective failed to acknowledge the sustained efforts of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s defense forces and communities in combating armed groups over the years. The Burkinabè diplomat also noted that Nigeria has long battled Boko Haram, while AES states have refrained from publicly linking Abuja to the evolution of terrorist threats in the Sahel—despite documented ties between certain regional armed factions. He argued that military operations in the three countries also bolster West African security by curbing the operational capacity of jihadist networks.

Ouagadougou urged Nigerian officials to prioritize rhetoric that fosters solidarity among states facing shared security threats. Burkina Faso maintains that cooperation remains critical in the fight against terrorist organizations active in West Africa. Following the meeting, Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires acknowledged receipt of the message and committed to relaying it to Abuja, according to Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry.