The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) introduced on Monday that it had detained a Nigerian Air Pressure plane carrying 11 army personnel after the airplane allegedly violated Burkina Faso’s airspace.
In response to the AES, the C-130 plane was compelled to land in Bobo Djoulasso on December 8, 2025, following what was described as an “emergency scenario” throughout its flight.
“An plane belonging to the Air Pressure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, sort C-130, was compelled to land at the present time, December 8, 2025, in Bobo Djoulasso, Burkina Faso, following an emergency scenario throughout a flight whereas they had been flying in Burkina Faso airspace. The army plane had on board two crew members and 9 all-military passengers,” the assertion learn.
Investigation and sovereignty issues
Burkinabè authorities instantly launched an investigation, which concluded that the Nigerian plane didn’t have authorization to fly over Burkina Faso.
AES described the incident as a violation of nationwide sovereignty and worldwide aviation norms.
“The Confederation of the States of Sahel condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states,” the physique declared.
The confederation additional emphasised that “measures have been taken to make sure the safety of the Confederation’s airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states, and the protection of the populations of the AES Confederation.”
Rising tensions between Nigeria and AES
The detention of the plane may reignite tensions between Nigeria and the AES, a regional bloc fashioned by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic after their withdrawal from the Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS).
The three nations formally exited ECOWAS in January 2025, following months of strained relations. Their army juntas accused ECOWAS of failing to help them of their combat towards terrorism and of imposing sanctions that harmed their populations.
Though ECOWAS later lifted the sanctions, the rift persevered. The bloc launched transitional measures to attenuate disruptions, together with duty-free commerce, visa-free motion, and residence rights.
Regardless of these measures, AES imposed a 0.5 p.c import responsibility on items from ECOWAS member states in April 2025, additional straining relations.
This newest incident involving Nigeria’s army plane provides one other layer of complexity to the already fragile political and financial panorama in West Africa.
What it’s best to know
The incident comes after the Nigerian armed forces intervened within the Republic of Benin on Sunday following an tried coup concentrating on President Patrice Talon.
- In response to the presidency, Nigeria’s intervention adopted two formal requests from the Beninese authorities searching for speedy army help to revive constitutional order.
- President Tinubu had counseled the Nigerian armed forces for his or her fast response and professionalism in serving to restore order within the neighbouring nation.
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