Airspace Tensions: AES Accuses Nigeria Of Violating Burkina Faso Skies After NAF Landing

The Alliance for Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has accused Nigeria of violating its airspace after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The incident occurred on Monday when a C-130 military transport plane, carrying two crew members and nine passengers—all military personnel—was forced to land in Bobo-Dioulasso, a major city in Burkina Faso’s south-western region, while transiting Burkinabè airspace.

In a statement, the AES said the aircraft lacked proper authorisation to overfly Burkina Faso, describing the act as a breach of both international aviation law and the sovereignty of its member states.

“This constitutes an infringement of national sovereignty and a violation of international rules governing civil and military aviation,” the bloc stated.

The AES called the landing an “unfriendly act” and announced measures to strengthen the security of its airspace, protect the territorial integrity of member states, and ensure the safety of their populations.

The translated statement read in part:

“The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft was forced to land today, 8 December 2025, in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, due to an in-flight emergency while operating in Burkinabe airspace. The aircraft carried two crew members and nine passengers, all military personnel.
An investigation revealed that the aircraft had no authorisation to enter Burkinabe territory.
The Confederation strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.
Following instructions from the Heads of State, air and anti-aircraft defences have been placed on maximum alert and are authorised to neutralise any aircraft violating confederal airspace.”

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Nigeria and the AES, particularly following Nigeria’s recent military intervention to foil a coup attempt in neighbouring Benin Republic.

While Nigeria and ECOWAS viewed the action as necessary to uphold democratic order, the AES bloc considered it a hostile move and an example of external interference.

The strain between Nigeria and the AES countries intensified after Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025, citing insufficient support in combating terrorism and opposing sanctions imposed following military coups.

Although ECOWAS later lifted sanctions and introduced measures such as visa-free travel and duty-free trade, the AES bloc responded in April by imposing a 0.5% import levy on ECOWAS member states, highlighting ongoing divisions in the region.