Niger’s military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani has met with his counterparts in Mali and Burkina Faso in his first international visits since seizing power in July.
Niger’s neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso which are ruled by military leaders who seized power in 2020 and 2022, respectively — have pledged solidarity with Niger’s coup leaders.
General Tiani arrived in Burkina Faso on Thursday evening for a “friendship and working visit” with Captain Ibrahim Traore.
According to a statement from Burkina’s presidency, the pair discussed “issues common to both countries, in particular the fight against terrorism and socio-economic development”.
In Bamako earlier in the day, he had thanked his Malian Counterpart Colonel Assimi Goita for “the support and determination of the Malian authorities and people to work with the authorities and people of Niger, whatever the obstacles”.
The three Sahel countries in September signed a pact that includes provisions for mutual defence in the event of an attack on the “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of any of the countries.
While in Mali, Tiani said the aim of the alliance was to transform the Sahel region from an “area of insecurity” to “an area of prosperity”.
The leaders also plan to strengthen economic ties and Tiani thanked his neighbours for standing by his country after Niger’s regional and Western partners announced a series of sanctions against it following the coup.
Shortly after taking power, Tiani pledged to return Niger to civilian rule within three years.
Mali, meanwhile, has indefinitely postponed a presidential election that was scheduled for early 2024.
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