A Nigerian Air Force plane carrying eleven personnel is being held in Burkina Faso after an unauthorized emergency landing, escalating regional diplomatic tensions. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, condemned the landing as an “unfriendly act” violating international law, with AES leader Assimi Goita warning of future consequences for airspace violations. Nigeria said the aircraft was en route to Portugal and landed due to a technical issue, emphasizing that the crew is safe and being treated cordially. The event highlights the deepening rift between the AES nations and the ECOWAS bloc against a backdrop of political instability and shifting alliances in West Africa.
The Guardian
