Putin discussed with the President of Mali the settlement of the situation in Niger

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Transitional Period of the Republic of Mali Assimi Goita. About it reported in the Kremlin.

“Particular attention is paid to the situation in the Sahara-Sahel region. In particular, the importance of resolving the situation around the Republic of Niger by exclusively peaceful political and diplomatic means was emphasized.

The talks were held at the initiative of the Malian side. During the conversation, Putin and Goyt also discussed the development of friendly bilateral relations. These issues were raised during the continuation of the talks between the leaders of the two countries, which took place on July 29 in St. Petersburg as part of the Russia-Africa forum. Then Putin said that Russia would allocate $ 2 million through the UN World Food Program for the purchase of food for “Malian friends.”

On July 26, the Niger military announced the removal of President Bazum. The new leader of the country was the head of the presidential guard, Abdurakhman Tchiani, who became the leader of the rebellion. The UN, the US and the EU did not recognize the coup and demanded the release of the country’s democratically elected president. Bazum himself turned to the United States and the international community for support and assistance in restoring order in the country.

African Union along with France and the United States supported the desire of the Economic Union of West African Countries (ECOWAS, includes 15 states of the region) to launch a military invasion of Niger in order to restore the power of the ousted president. At the Russian Foreign Ministry declaredthat a military settlement of the crisis in Niger could lead to a protracted confrontation and destabilize the entire region.