On the morning of October 5, 2023, the Prime Minister appointed by the Niger junta, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, went to Bamako for a working visit of a few hours to Mali. This meeting between the two leaders aimed to strengthen cooperation and discuss the common challenges facing the two countries.
Upon his arrival, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine wanted to express his gratitude to the Malian junta for its support since the coup d’état which overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. This solidarity between the two countries made it possible to circumvent the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), an experience from which Mali has shared its Nigerien neighbor.
During the working session, the ministers responsible for defense and security issues of the two countries discussed the situation on the ground. Faced with the security challenges facing Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, the three countries recently signed an alliance on defense issues. This military cooperation should be strengthened and translated into joint operations.
In addition to security issues, the Nigerien Prime Minister and his Malian counterpart also discussed the diversification of foreign partners. In this regard, Niger intends to strengthen its military cooperation with Russia, thus taking an example from Mali.
This working visit marks an important step in relations between Niger and Mali. Both countries face similar challenges in terms of security, governance and development. By working together, they will be able to face these challenges more effectively and find lasting solutions.
This meeting between Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine and Choguel Maïga also testifies to the evolution of relations between the juntas in power in the region. The juntas of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have initiated security cooperation with the aim of fighting terrorism and guaranteeing stability in the region.
In conclusion, this working visit between the Nigerien Prime Minister and his Malian counterpart is an encouraging sign of the desire of the two countries to strengthen their cooperation and face common challenges. By working together and sharing their respective experiences, Niger and Mali can pave the way for better security and sustainable development in the region.