The response has triggered a fresh diplomatic row between Nigeria and the three AES countries, which also summoned Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires in Ouagadougou to protest Tinubu’s remarks.
Tinubu had, on July 30, told traditional rulers that insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger was worsening Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that some of the terrorists operating in the country were not Nigerians.
However, the AES rejected the assessment, describing it as inaccurate and dismissive of the sacrifices made by security forces and civilians across the region.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, speaking on behalf of the bloc, said the four countries were facing the same security threat and should not blame one another.
“Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria face the same enemy. We would have preferred a more accurate presentation of the security situation, rather than placing the blame for a complex situation on neighbouring countries,” Traoré said.
He argued that Tinubu’s comments overlooked the history of insecurity in the region, noting that Niger had been confronting Boko Haram before militant violence spread to Mali and Burkina Faso.
“We are not responsible for what is happening to us. The real enemies are elsewhere,” he added.
Despite the criticism, Traoré said the AES remained willing to work with Nigeria to tackle the security challenges affecting the region.
He said the bloc “favours continued engagement with Nigeria in a ‘joint and shared fight’ against insecurity.”
The latest disagreement adds to strained relations between Nigeria and the AES countries following the military coups in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali and their subsequent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Tensions intensified in 2023 when ECOWAS, under Tinubu’s chairmanship, imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened military intervention to restore constitutional rule following the coup. The sanctions were later lifted, but the three countries subsequently established the AES as a separate political and security bloc.
The AES governments have since strengthened security cooperation with Russia, while Nigeria has continued to advocate regional collaboration against terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity.
Relations were also tested in December 2025 when Burkina Faso detained 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel after their C-130 aircraft made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso while travelling to Portugal for maintenance. The personnel were later released following diplomatic discussions.
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