The Confederation of the States of the Sahel (AES) has accused Nigeria of violating Burkina Faso’s airspace after a Nigerian Air Force C-130 military aircraft was forced to make 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, in a statement issued on Monday, said authorities confirmed that the aircraft — carrying two crew members and nine military passengers — entered Burkina Faso airspace without authorisation before experiencing an in-flight emergency.
The AES noted that Burkina Faso’s aviation and security agencies immediately launched an investigation, saying it has already established that the Nigerian aircraft had no clearance to fly over the confederation’s territory.
Describing the incident as “a violation of airspace and the sovereignty of its Member States,” the Sahel Confederation condemned Nigeria’s action, calling it an unfriendly act that disregarded international law and established aviation protocols.
In response, 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.
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The Sahel Confederation reiterated its December 22, 2024 declaration, authorising its defences to neutralise 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 this regard, and following instructions from the Heads of State, the air and anti-air defenses of the confederal space have been placed on maximum alert.
“In accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated 22 December 2024, they have been authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates confederal airspace.”
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