The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has directed its member countries to neutralise any aircraft that violates their airspace, following claims that a Nigerian Air Force jet entered Burkina Faso’s airspace on December 8 while carrying 11 soldiers.
In a statement signed by Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goita, the bloc described the incident as “an unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law.”
Goita said the group’s aerial and anti-aircraft forces had been placed on full alert and “were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space.” Nigeria’s jet was reportedly on a mission to Benin Republic to track suspects linked to a failed coup.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the deployment followed requests from Benin for aerial intelligence and surveillance, while noting uncertainty over any extension into Burkina Faso airspace.