Hussaini Kafi in Kano
In a move that has baffled observers and provoked criticism, Burkina Faso has joined Niger in opening diplomatic channels with the Taliban, despite both Sahelian nations being ravaged by jihadist violence ideologically tied to the Afghan group.
According to a security expert, Zagazola Makama, on May 12, representatives of Burkina Faso’s embassy were seen in Tehran engaging with Taliban officials, less than three weeks after Niger’s ambassador was received in Kabul by senior Taliban leadership on April 23.
The meetings come at a time when Burkina Faso and Niger are both embroiled in a protracted battle against Islamist insurgents—particularly Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM)—which openly pledges allegiance to the Taliban’s spiritual leadership.
Critics say the diplomatic moves amount to hypocrisy, accusing the juntas in Ouagadougou and Niamey of sending mixed signals in their fight against terrorism.
Human rights groups and civil society leaders have condemned the visits, calling them a betrayal of victims of terrorism across the region. Many argue that the outreach could embolden local insurgents and further destabilize efforts to end the violence.
With thousands of civilians killed and millions displaced by jihadist attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the symbolism of engaging the Taliban sends a troubling message to both allies and adversaries.
As one security expert put it: “The hunter cannot be seen having tea with the beast and still claim to be at war.”
“What message are these governments sending to their people, and to the thousands who have lost loved ones to terrorist violence?” asked Zagazola Makama, a prominent Sahelian security analyst. “They claim to be resisting terrorism while at the same time courting its ideological architects.”
Makama likened the situation to a tragic farce, warning that such engagement with the Taliban—long seen as a source of ideological inspiration for jihadist groups operating in West Africa—risks legitimizing the very forces that have brought suffering to millions in the Sahel.
In recent years, both Niger and Burkina Faso have undergone military coups, ushering in regimes that have gradually distanced themselves from Western partners. In their place, new alliances are being forged—with Russia, Iran, and now, apparently, the Taliban. Officials claim the engagements are part of broader diplomatic outreach efforts aimed at diversifying foreign relations, but analysts say the costs may outweigh the benefits.
“This isn’t just about diplomacy,” said Amadou Maïga, a regional analyst based in Bamako. “It’s about credibility. How do you fight terrorists at home while meeting with their ideological sponsors abroad?”
The Taliban, which regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, remains internationally isolated and widely criticized for its human rights record. Yet, its growing list of diplomatic visitors suggests a shift in how some governments—particularly those also facing isolation—are recalibrating their foreign policy.
