Nigeria's Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Advocates for Mali Security Dialogue

Nigeria is actively promoting sustained dialogue with Mali to address security challenges in the Sahel region. This initiative was highlighted by Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu during a bilateral meeting with Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The discussions focused on enhancing political consultations and sharing insights on developments in Mali, the Sahel, and the broader West African region. Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria's historical ties with Mali and its commitment to a stable and prosperous Sahel, identifying terrorism, violent extremism, organized crime, and other cross-border threats as key issues requiring regional cooperation.

The meeting also addressed Mali's relationship with ECOWAS, AES, and African Union mechanisms, alongside bilateral trade and economic relations. This engagement follows a July 2026 agreement to revitalize the Joint Commission between Nigeria and Mali, prioritizing security, trade, and other areas for cooperation.