Nigeria maintains dialogue with Mali amid Sahel tensions

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained diplomatic engagement with Mali amid continuing political and security challenges in the Sahel.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement on the bilateral engagement between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and her Malian counterpart, Abdoulaye Diop, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

According to the ministry, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations as well as regional peace and security, with particular attention to terrorism, organised crime, trafficking and other cross-border threats confronting the Sahel.

The ministry said the discussions also covered Mali’s relations with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, the Alliance of Sahel States, AES, and broader efforts towards regional integration.

The ministers, according to the statement, further exchanged views on trade and economic relations, mobility and people-to-people ties, while exploring opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The ministry said the engagement reflected Nigeria’s continued commitment to maintaining dialogue with Mali despite the changing political and diplomatic landscape in West Africa.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025 and subsequently strengthened their cooperation through the AES.

The ministry noted that Nigeria and Mali have nevertheless continued bilateral engagement, particularly on matters relating to security, economic cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

It said the latest meeting also followed an earlier decision by both countries to revive their Joint Commission, which had become inactive.

The Joint Commission is expected to provide a platform for cooperation in areas including security, trade, energy, irregular migration, human trafficking and the Bilateral Air Services Agreement.

The two ministers, the ministry said, underscored the importance of sustained political consultations and continued cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest.