Mali's transition leader, Gen. Assimi Goïta, conveyed a personal message from Russian President Vladimir Putin during talks with his allies in Niger and Burkina Faso on 5 November, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on Friday, citing sources close to the meetings. RFI's Serge Daniel writes that Russia remains the three governments' security and defence partner.
RFI also reported, in conditional language, that Niger’s leader, Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, had offered reassurance that closer ties with Algeria were not directed against the Alliance of Sahel States, the confederation formed by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The broadcaster cited sources close to the meetings rather than a direct public statement by Tiani.