On Thursday, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, held a meeting with Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires in Ouagadougou. The encounter followed recent remarks by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about worsening security conditions across the Sahel. Representatives from Mali and Niger also participated, underscoring the unified stance of the three AES member states.

Tinubu’s statements spark regional tensions

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

During the discussion, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré emphasized that this perspective overlooks the sustained efforts of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s defense and security forces, as well as their populations, in combating armed groups over recent years. The Burkinabe diplomat also highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing battle against Boko Haram, noting that AES member states have refrained from publicly assigning responsibility to Abuja for the Sahel’s evolving terrorist threat—despite documented connections between regional armed factions. He stressed that military operations in the three countries also bolster West African security by curbing the operational capacity of jihadist groups.

Ouagadougou urged Nigerian officials to prioritize statements that foster solidarity among states facing a shared security threat. Burkina Faso maintains that cooperation remains vital in the fight against terrorist organizations active in West Africa. Following the meeting, Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires acknowledged receipt of the Burkinabe message and committed to relaying it to Abuja, according to Burkina Faso’s Foreign Ministry.