The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, has reacted strongly to remarks by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu concerning insecurity in the Sahel region and its impact on Nigeria.
The three countries criticised the Nigerian president’s position and reportedly summoned Nigeria’s diplomatic representative in connection with the remarks.
The development adds another layer to the complicated relationship between Nigeria and the three Sahel countries, which have moved away from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and established the AES as a separate regional bloc.
Nigeria has repeatedly highlighted the connection between instability in the wider Sahel and security challenges confronting countries in the region.
The issue is particularly sensitive because militant activity, porous borders, arms trafficking and transnational criminal networks continue to create security concerns across West Africa.
The diplomatic response from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger underscores the growing political differences between Abuja and the AES countries, even as regional insecurity remains a shared concern.
The dispute also highlights the challenge facing regional governments as they attempt to balance national sovereignty, diplomatic relations and cooperation against common security threats.