Burkina Faso has accused the Nigerian military of violating its airspace, following the emergency landing of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft in Bobo-Dioulasso. This incident involved eleven military officers, who reportedly made an unscheduled stop en route to Portugal due to technical issues.
Burkinabè officials confirmed the aircraft entered their airspace without authorization on Monday, prompting a joint statement from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, declaring it a breach of their sovereignty. The Nigerian Air Force contended the landing was necessary for safety despite this proclamation.
According to the NAF, the crew members were treated cordially, although it remains unclear whether they were detained. Meanwhile, the Alliance of Sahel States condemned the incident as an 'unfriendly act', causing the military air forces in the region to heighten their readiness to respond to potential breaches.
This situation highlights the growing tensions amidst political unrest, especially since the Sahel countries have distanced themselves from regional groups like ECOWAS and shifted their alliances, including to Russia.
Political analysts have speculated that this incident could be linked to recent military interventions by Nigeria following a coup attempt in Benin.
