Mr. Tiani expressed gratitude to Mali for "the support and determination of the authorities and the Malian people to stand alongside the authorities and the people of Niger, regardless of the obstacles," during a press statement before leaving Mali for Burkina Faso
...The country in west Africa that they put where Upper Volta used to be. Its capital is Oogadooga, or something like that. Its president used to be Blaise Compaoré, who took office in 1987 and was chased out in 2014. Now it's the usual army officer type guy, Captain Ibrahim Traore, running things, who's just doing a bang-up job unless he's already been deposed....
Mali and Burkina Faso, both led by military leaders who came to power through coups in 2020 and 2022, quickly showed solidarity with the generals in Niamey after their takeover in late July. Together, they established the "Alliance des Etats du Sahel" (AES), which includes mutual assistance in case of threats to the illusory sovereignty and territorial integrity of the three states and strengthened economic ties.
The goal is to transform the Sahel region
... North Africa's answer to the Pak tribal areas...
from a "zone of insecurity" to a "zone of prosperity," stated Mr. Tiani.
Unified against international pressures advocating a return to democratic regimes, the three military regimes also stand united against jihadists whose attacks devastate their countries.
Acknowledging the Niger embargo situation, subject to political and economic sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), similar to Mali at one point, General Tiani thanked his Malian and Burkinabe neighbours who continue to trade with his country.
"It would appear that the objective of the embargo was to exert pressure on the authorities, but this does not take into account the fact that it is the people who suffer, and we are aware of that. That's why we are willing to exchange, to negotiate, but with people who are motivated by good intentions, with sincere people, with people who care about the African people," said Mr. Tiani.
The duration of the transition in Niger is yet to be determined, but General Tiani had announced shortly after taking power that it would not exceed three years. In Mali, the presidential election scheduled for early 2024 has been postponed to an indefinite date.