The Confederation of the States of the Sahel (AES) has accused Nigeria of breaching Burkina Faso’s airspace after a Nigerian Air Force C-130 military plane made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on Monday, December 8, 2025.
The President of the Transition in Mali and head of the Sahel Confederation, General Assimi Goita, stated on Monday that authorities confirmed the Nigerian aircraft, carrying two crew members and nine military passengers, entered Burkina Faso’s airspace without authorization before encountering an in-flight emergency.
The AES stated that Burkina Faso’s aviation and security agencies promptly launched an investigation, confirming that the Nigerian aircraft had no clearance to enter the confederation’s airspace.
Describing the incident as “a violation of airspace and the sovereignty of its Member States,” the Sahel Confederation condemned Nigeria’s action, labeling it an unfriendly act that ignored international law and established aviation protocols.
The bloc announced heightened security measures, revealing that its air and anti-air defence systems have been placed on maximum alert on the orders of its Heads of State.
The Sahel Confederation reiterated its December 22, 2024 declaration, authorizing its defences to neutralize any aircraft that breaches Sahel Confederation airspace.
It added: “In the face of this unfriendly act carried out in disregard of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, measures have been taken to ensure the security of the confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its Member States, as well as the safety of the populations of the AES Confederation.
“In response, and under directives from the Heads of State, the air and anti-air defenses of the confederal territory have been placed on maximum alert. In line with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, they are authorized to neutralize any aircraft that breaches confederal airspace.”
