The Niger junta, which took power in a military coup on July 26, has formed a military alliance with neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali.

The three countries’ foreign ministers made a joint announcement in Niamey, Niger’s capital.

The agreement allows Mali and Burkina Faso to provide military aid to Niger in the event of military action against the putschists there. Mali and Burkina Faso have already reached a similar deal.

The reported agreement also calls for the three countries to work together to combat terrorist groups operating within their borders and safeguard their borders.

Recall that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) launched a standby force and threatened action if democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was not reinstalled and constitutional order was not restored following the July coup in Niger. ECOWAS and the Nigerien junta held talks the preceding weekend.