Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, conveyed that Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the significance of achieving a peaceful solution to the recent coup in Niger during a phone conversation on Tuesday.

The junta took control of Niger through a coup last month. Goita provided Putin with an update on the situation in Niger.

On his social media platform, previously known as Twitter, Goita mentioned that Putin highlighted the need for a peaceful resolution to ensure greater stability in the Sahel region.

ALSO READ: Nigeria’s petrol imports from Europe plunge by 48% following subsidy removal

There were concerns that the military might consider aligning with Russia and potentially closing French and US military bases in the area.

Putin has advocated for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger, while Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, expressed support for the coup.