The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has accused an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of entering Burkina Faso airspace without authorisation, saying the plane was compelled to land after experiencing an in-flight emergency.
Okay News reports that the allegation was contained in a statement signed by Assimi Goita, Mali’s junta leader and a key figure in the AES alliance.
The AES, a regional bloc formed by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic after their withdrawal from ECOWAS, said the incident occurred on Monday when the aircraft landed in Bobo Dioulasso.
According to the confederation, Burkinabe security services launched an immediate investigation, which concluded that the flight did not have clearance to operate within Burkina Faso’s airspace.
“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe services and highlighted the lack of authorisation to fly over Burkinabe territory for this military apparatus,” the statement said.
AES condemned the development, describing it as a breach of sovereignty. “The Confederation of the Sahel States most strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states,” the statement continued.
The bloc warned that it had activated heightened security protocols in response.
It said its air and anti-aircraft defence systems had been placed on maximum alert under a 2024 directive authorising the neutralisation of any aircraft violating AES airspace.
“Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, arrangements are made to guarantee the security of the Confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its Member States, as well as the safety of the Populations of the Confederation AES,” the statement read.
“In this regard, and on the instructions of the Heads of State, the Arian and anti-aircraft defences of the Confederal space put on maximum alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space.”
The AES announcement comes a day after the Nigerian Air Force carried out strikes against fleeing plotters behind the foiled coup attempt in Benin Republic.
Nigerian presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said President Bola Tinubu authorised the operation at the request of Beninese authorities.
It remains unclear whether the aircraft involved in Monday’s incident was linked to the mission in Benin, which borders Burkina Faso to the northwest.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger exited ECOWAS in January, citing disagreements with the bloc following their respective military coups.
Their decision to form the AES came after months of failed negotiations by regional leaders to bring them back into the ECOWAS fold.
Following the failed coup in Benin, the ECOWAS Commission ordered the deployment of elements of its standby force after consultations with heads of state and government, underscoring growing tensions across West Africa as political instability continues to spread.
