ABUJA — Nigeria and Mali have agreed to convene a Joint Commission aimed at reviving dormant bilateral agreements, with security cooperation, trade, and aviation topping the agenda.
The decision followed a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Mali’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Oumar Coulibaly, in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister, Dr Magnus Eze, both countries will use the Joint Commission as a platform to deepen cooperation in key sectors including security, energy, trade, irregular migration and the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
Speaking during the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the urgency of closer collaboration, particularly in tackling insecurity in the Sahel region.
“This meeting is long overdue. Nigeria and Mali share common objectives and goals. We need to deepen bilateral relations,” she said.
The minister highlighted the need for military cooperation to address terrorism and banditry, noting that regional challenges require coordinated responses.
“For us, the Joint Commission is the most viable platform to cooperate… this could give opportunity for starting security cooperation to tackle terrorism,” she added.
She also underscored the importance of energy collaboration and people-to-people engagement, noting that developments in Mali have direct implications for Nigeria.
On regional dynamics, the minister maintained that Nigeria would continue to engage Mali despite recent shifts within the Sahel bloc, emphasizing the need to sustain diplomatic ties.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further conveyed the condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians to Mali over recent rebel attacks, including the death of Defence Minister, General Sadio Camara.
In his remarks, Ambassador Coulibaly described Nigeria as a “big brother” and called for sustained bilateral engagement despite regional differences.
“There may be issues at the regional level, but as Africans, Nigeria and Mali must continue to relate bilaterally,” he said.
He advocated for structured political dialogue ahead of the Joint Commission, noting that such engagement would help address shared challenges, including human trafficking and insecurity.
The envoy also announced that Nigerian carrier Air Peace is set to commence flight operations between Lagos and Bamako this month under the BASA framework.
