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