Nigerian C-130 Detained in Burkina Faso Amid Sahel Alliance Airspace Dispute

Nigerian C-130 Detained in Burkina Faso Amid Sahel Alliance Airspace Dispute

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso — has condemned the emergency landing of a Nigerian military aircraft within Burkinabe territory, warning of firm action against any future breaches of its airspace.

In a joint statement broadcast across state media in the three countries, the alliance said the Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport plane, carrying 11 military personnel, entered Burkinabe airspace without authorisation before being forced to land in Bobo-Dioulasso due to an in-flight emergency.

Describing the incident as an “unfriendly act,” the AES announced that its air forces had been placed on maximum alert and empowered to “neutralise any aircraft” violating the confederation’s airspace.

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The statement did not disclose the condition or status of the personnel onboard the Nigerian aircraft.

Relations between the military-led Sahel nations and their West African neighbours have remained tense since the trio withdrew from ECOWAS in January to consolidate their own security and political bloc. The states — each battling entrenched jihadist insurgencies — have increasingly distanced themselves from Western partners, particularly France, while strengthening ties with Russia.

Nigerian C-130 Detained in Burkina Faso Amid Sahel Alliance Airspace Dispute