Press Statement by General Assimi Goïta, President of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES)
> “The Confederation of Sahel States informs national and international opinion of the forced landing at the Bobo-Dioulasso airport, on Sunday 8 December 2025 at 09:11 GMT, of a C-130 transport aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, carrying eleven (11) military personnel including two (02) crew members and a pilot. This aircraft was in emergency and had to land as quickly as possible.”
> “Following the investigations conducted by the competent Burkinabè authorities, it was established that this aircraft did not have the necessary overflight authorizations for Burkinabè territory.”
“The Confederation of Sahel States condemns in the strongest terms this violation of the airspace and the sovereignty of its member state. This unfriendly act is a flagrant violation of international law and of civil and military aviation regulations.”
> “On the instructions of the three Heads of State, measures have been taken to guarantee the security of confederal airspace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the member states, and the protection of the populations of the Confederation.”
> “The air and anti-aircraft defence means of the Confederation are placed on maximum alert. In accordance with the 22 December 2024 declaration establishing a single joint theatre of military operations across the confederal territory, these defence systems are authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates confederal airspace.”
> “Done in Bamako, General Assimi Goïta, President of the Transition, Head of State of Mali, President of the Confederation of Sahel States.”
Translated by: Princess G. A. Adebajo-Fraser MFR.
The National Patriots.
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