By Abdoulie John
Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Amadou Coulibaly, has publicly addressed mounting speculation connecting Ivorian territory to a recent deadly assault on Niger’s Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey.
Speaking on Thursday, Coulibaly firmly rejected suggestions that President Alassane Ouattara was responsible for the incident. “If terrorists were hiding on the Air Côte d’Ivoire plane, it is not the fault of the head of state,” he stated. The government has initiated an investigation to uncover how the assailants accessed the commercial aircraft that transported them to Niamey.
The remarks come amid escalating regional tensions following the overnight attack on January 28-29, 2026. Islamic State militants, claiming responsibility via their Amaq propaganda arm, launched a coordinated strike on the airport and adjacent Air Base 101. Nigerien security forces repelled the assault, killing 20 attackers—including reportedly a French national—and arresting 11 others. Four Nigerien soldiers were wounded, and several aircraft sustained damage, including one operated by Air Côte d’Ivoire parked on the tarmac.
Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, swiftly accused the presidents of France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of sponsoring the operation, without providing evidence. He thanked Russian forces for their assistance in thwarting the attack and warned of retaliation.
Coulibaly’s statement, intended to distance Abidjan from the accusations, has instead fueled further debate. Observers note that the involvement of an Air Côte d’Ivoire aircraft raises logistical questions about how insurgents gained access to commercial aviation infrastructure, which is governed by stringent security protocols.
Nigerien authorities continue probing the origins of the detained suspects, whose seized documents reportedly trace back to various locations. Some analysts suggest the revelations could challenge long-standing Ivorian denials of terrorist networks operating or transiting through its territory.
For years, regional voices have raised concerns about the presence of jihadist-linked individuals in Côte d’Ivoire, often dismissed by officials. The Niamey incident has amplified these warnings, prompting questions about why such groups might stage attacks abroad rather than domestically.
As investigations unfold, the episode underscores deepening fractures in the Sahel, where jihadist threats intersect with geopolitical rivalries involving former colonial powers and neighboring states. Both governments face pressure to provide transparent answers amid calls for regional cooperation against extremism.
