The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has warned it will neutralise any aircraft violating its airspace after accusing Nigeria of an unauthorised flight. The bloc said a Nigerian Air Force C-130 made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso, where authorities determined the landing occurred without approval.
AES leaders condemned the incident as a hostile breach of sovereignty and affirmed that their air defence units are empowered to act against future violations. The confederation described Nigeria’s alleged action as an unfriendly move that disregarded international aviation rules and broader legal norms.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formed the AES on 6 July 2024 after adopting the Liptako-Gourma Charter, building on the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023. The bloc has reshaped its geopolitical posture with high-profile withdrawals from ECOWAS and the International Organization of La Francophonie.