The diplomatic atmosphere between Nigeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is once again fraught with tension. This latest disagreement stems from remarks made by the Nigerian president, which have been met with strong disapproval in Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou.

During a meeting with traditional Nigerian leaders on July 30, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attributed a portion of the insecurity and abductions plaguing Nigeria’s northern regions to terrorist elements originating from neighboring countries. This assertion prompted a swift response from Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, who issued a communiqué on Friday, August 7. The statement underscored the shared nature of the terrorist threat, emphasizing that « Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria confront the same adversary. » The AES also conveyed its profound regret regarding the Nigerian president’s declarations.

The true adversaries lie elsewhere

On the same Friday, representatives from the three confederation countries, gathered in Ouagadougou, summoned the Nigerian chargé d’affaires. They expressed their strong condemnation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s comments, deeming them « inaccurate. » Burkina Faso’s chief diplomat specifically highlighted that the Nigerian president’s statements diminished the considerable efforts undertaken by the AES armies in their fight against terrorism. He further asserted, « We are not accountable for the challenges we face. The true adversaries lie elsewhere. »

In recent years, the security landscape across Nigeria’s northwest, particularly along its shared border with Niger, has significantly deteriorated. Relations between Abuja and its regional neighbors had already experienced strain in 2023, following the coup d’état that ousted Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey.