AES Condemns Niamey Airport Attack, Warns Foreign Supporters

The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has condemned an attack on a military base near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, expressing full solidarity with Niger following the incident, which occurred on the night of January 28-29.

In an official statement, the acting president of the Confederation, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, described the attack as “barbaric, cowardly, and premeditated,” while issuing a strong warning to what he referred to as “foreign state sponsors” allegedly seeking to destabilize the region.

The statement noted that the assault targeted not only military installations but also civilian infrastructure, thereby endangering local populations.

The Sahel Alliance condemned the perpetrators of the attack, stressing that both those directly responsible and their financial and logistical accomplices would be held accountable.

The AES – responsible for security and defence coordination among member states, said the incident could not be regarded as an isolated event. According to the organization, the attack forms part of a broader “destabilisation strategy” supported by complex funding and logistical networks.

The Confederation reaffirmed the unity and vigilance of its member states in their coordinated fight against terrorism.

The attack, claimed on Friday by the Islamic State (IS) group through its Sahel affiliate, comes amid growing diplomatic tensions and a regional context already strained by rising insecurity and repeated destabilisation attempts. The development underscores the need for stronger regional coordination to safeguard states and protect civilian populations across the Sahel.