00:00A widening diplomatic rift is emerging in West Africa as Niger and Mali level new accusations
00:07against neighbouring states over terrorism in the Sahel. Speaking at a security forum in Senegal,
00:13Mali's foreign minister said some neighbouring states are harbouring and supporting armed groups
00:19active in the Sahel. He did not name specific countries but also suggested foreign powers
00:25outside the region are involved. Niger's foreign minister echoed similar claims, saying some
00:31nations cooperating on counterterrorism are also, in his words, fuelling and sustaining the violence.
00:39He later clarified he was referring to France which has not responded. The accusations come as
00:45Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso continue to distance themselves from the West African region after
00:51forming their own alliance following military coups. All three countries have faced years of
00:56jihadist violence across the central Sahel. Despite the sharp rhetoric, Mali's foreign minister said
01:03limited cooperation with ECOWAS is still possible.
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