Niger and Mali accused neighbouring countries of sponsoring terrorism on Tuesday, deepening regional tensions, but signalled they remain open to limited cooperation with the West African bloc ECOWAS despite their formal withdrawal last year.
Speaking on the sidelines of a security forum in Senegal, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said some neighbouring states were harbouring or supporting armed groups carrying out attacks in the Sahel.
“There are neighbouring countries that are currently harbouring terrorist groups, supporting terrorist groups, or frequently receiving hostile forces that carry out operations against us,” he said, without naming specific countries. He also pointed to the involvement of foreign actors outside the region.
Diop referenced claims that Ukrainian mercenaries had been involved in attacks in northern Mali, echoing earlier remarks linked to Ukraine’s military intelligence. Kyiv has previously denied any role in the fighting or supplying drones to armed groups.
The accusations come amid worsening diplomatic strains across West Africa, where Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso — all under military rule following coups — have faced a decade-long insurgency by jihadist groups.
The three countries broke away from ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), marking a major shift in regional security cooperation.
Tensions have also flared between Mali and Mauritania in recent weeks after Bamako alleged two of its soldiers were detained across the border, a claim Nouakchott denied.
Niger’s Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare said countries claiming to support counterterrorism efforts were in fact “fuelling, financing and sustaining” violence in Niger. He later clarified to Reuters that he was referring to France. Paris has not immediately responded.
Niger’s military leader Abdourahamane Tiani had earlier accused France, Benin and Ivory Coast of backing an attack on the country’s main airport in January, though no evidence was provided.
Amid the escalating rhetoric, ECOWAS chairman Julius Maada Bio urged the Sahel states to rebuild ties with the bloc, either by rejoining or strengthening cooperation.
But Diop dismissed any prospect of returning.
“Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, politically speaking, have withdrawn from ECOWAS,” he said. “Our withdrawal is final.”
Despite this, he left the door open for practical coordination, saying the AES could still engage with ECOWAS on issues such as freedom of movement and maintaining regional trade links.