Burkina Faso, Mali Snub African Military Conference in Abuja
Security & Regional Affairs Desk, IDNN
Burkina Faso and Mali, both junta-led, refused to attend the African Defence Chiefs Conference in Abuja, hosted by Nigeria. Their absence underscores strained relations after both countries — alongside Niger — withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025.
Niger sent its defence attaché, Colonel Soumana Kalkoye, but Mali and Burkina Faso opted out entirely.
Nigeria’s CDS General Christopher Musa told delegates from Djibouti to Namibia:
“True security is not achieved in isolation. We must design a new African-led security architecture.”
Analysts say the boycott highlights growing rifts as Sahel states consolidate their Alliance of Sahel States bloc, while other African nations push for collective defence solutions.
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