Nigeria is pushing sustained dialogue with Mali on security challenges confronting the Sahel, with Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stressing the need for stronger cooperation among countries facing cross-border threats.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu made the call during a bilateral meeting with Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The meeting focused on strengthening political consultations between Nigeria and Mali and exchanging views on developments in Mali, the Sahel and the wider West African region.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s longstanding historical ties with Mali and stressed Nigeria’s interest in a stable, peaceful and prosperous Sahel.
She said the security challenges confronting the region required sustained cooperation among neighbouring countries, particularly because of their cross-border nature.
The minister identified terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, trafficking, arms proliferation and illicit financial flows among the threats requiring stronger regional mechanisms.
She also stressed the importance of African ownership of solutions to the continent’s peace and security challenges, while encouraging continued dialogue between Mali, West African countries and regional institutions.
The two ministers discussed Mali’s evolving relationship with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), African Union peace and security mechanisms and regional integration.
They also examined bilateral trade and economic relations, mobility and people-to-people contacts, as well as opportunities to expand economic cooperation between Nigeria and Mali.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to maintain constructive bilateral consultations with Mali and expressed interest in continued cooperation at the multilateral level, including mutual support for Nigeria’s multilateral candidatures.
The latest engagement followed a July 2026 agreement between Nigeria and Mali to revitalise their Joint Commission, with both countries identifying security, trade, energy, irregular migration, human trafficking and the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) as priority areas for cooperation.
The meeting further underscored Nigeria’s efforts to maintain dialogue and cooperation with Mali while supporting African-led responses to the interconnected security and development challenges facing the Sahel and West Africa.