The Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso, Jean Marie Traoré, summoned the Nigerian Charge d’Affaires in Ouagadougou following comments by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu regarding the alleged security situation in the three countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The meeting, held on August 7, also included the Charge d’Affaires from Mali and Niger—both AES members—to reaffirm a united and cohesive stance within the confederation.

The dispute traces back to July 30, when President Tinubu reportedly told Nigerian traditional leaders that insecurity in the AES region was worsening Nigeria’s security landscape. He attributed this to a surge in terrorist attacks and kidnappings in his country, implying a direct link to neighboring Sahel nations.

Speaking on behalf of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Minister Traoré conveyed the deep disappointment of the AES states over what he described as inaccurate and oversimplified remarks that contradict the spirit of solidarity expected among neighboring nations facing a shared threat. He emphasized that such statements risked fostering misunderstandings and resentment between peoples bound by history, geography, and brotherhood.

« We are not responsible for our own challenges, yet we bear the consequences, » Traoré stated. « The true adversaries lie elsewhere. This calls for unity among brother nations (…) facing the same peril. »

While clarifying that the AES’s response was not an act of provocation or diplomatic confrontation, he stressed it reflected a commitment to open dialogue, asserting that only sincere cooperation could effectively address the subregion’s security challenges.

The Nigerian Charge d’Affaires acknowledged the AES ministers’ message, pledging to relay it to Abuja. He commended their emphasis on dialogue and solidarity in combating terrorism, while acknowledging the AES’s ongoing efforts to counter the scourge.