Niger’s new strongman makes maiden foreign trip to Mali

General Abdourahamane Tiani, the leader of junta in power in Niger is expected in Mali this Thursday November 23, for his first foreign trip since ascending to power on July 26, after ousting elected leader Mohamed Bazoum.

Tiani’s visit is a friendly and working trip to his Malian counterpart Assimi Goita, Mali’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The visit will only last one day as Tiani is expected to return to Niger in the afternoon. The visit comes following days after the Malian Army’s takeover of the northern region of Kidal from Touareg rebels who controlled the area for 10 years. The seizure of the region was possible after months of clashes.

It has been rumored that Niger and Burkina Faso participated in operations on the sides of the Malian Army.

Ties between the two countries further solidified under both leaders. In August 2023, Niger granted Mali and Burkina Faso the authorization to militarily intervene should the country be attacked by regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that had wielded the threat of military intervention to force Tiani to step down and restore Bazoum.