UNGA81: Nigeria, Mali deepen political consultations, discuss Sahel security
New York
Nigeria and Mali have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in addressing security and development challenges confronting the Sahel and West Africa.
The commitment was made during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Abdoulaye Diop, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, United States of America (USA).
The meeting, according to a statement by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media,
Office of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen direct political consultations and exchange views on developments in Mali, the Sahel and the wider West African region.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s longstanding historical bonds with Mali and stressed Nigeria’s interest in a stable, peaceful and prosperous Sahel, noting that the security challenges confronting the region require sustained cooperation among neighbouring countries.
The Minister underscored the cross-border nature of terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, trafficking, arms proliferation and illicit financial flows, stressing the need for stronger regional mechanisms to confront these threats.
She also emphasised the importance of African ownership of solutions to Africa’s peace and security challenges, while encouraging continued dialogue between Mali, West African countries and regional institutions.
Discussions also covered the evolving relationship between Mali and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the dynamics of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), African Union peace and security mechanisms, regional integration, bilateral trade and economic relations, as well as mobility and people-to-people contacts.
The two ministers further discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral economic cooperation and strengthen relations between the peoples of Nigeria and Mali.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to maintain constructive bilateral consultations with Mali and expressed Nigeria’s interest in continued cooperation at the multilateral level, including mutual support for Nigeria’s multilateral candidatures.
The engagement comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s continuing efforts to promote regional dialogue and cooperation on peace, security and integration. In July 2026, Nigeria and Mali also agreed to revitalise their Joint Commission and identified security, trade, energy, irregular migration, human trafficking and the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) among priority areas for bilateral cooperation.
Nigeria remains committed to strengthening regional cooperation and supporting peaceful, African-led responses to the interconnected security and development challenges facing West Africa and the Sahel.
