Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye offered "unwavering" security support to neighbouring Mali on Tuesday as he visited Mali's President General Assimi Goita.

Faye's visit to meet Goita is his first trip since being appointed chairperson of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS.

However the meeting was primarily bilateral and Faye was not accompanied by other ECOWAS members, diplomatic sources told AFP.

Tuareg separatists and an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group have carried out coordinated attacks against Malian authorities in recent months.

'Senegal stands ready to support Mali'

Following his visit, Faye expressed "Senegal's unequivocal and firmest condemnation of these heinous, cowardly, and barbaric acts, which are becoming increasingly frequent."

In April, the terrorists seized the strategic northern city of Kidal and also killed Mali's Defence Minister Sadio Camara.

"I reiterate that Senegal stands ready to support Mali through this ordeal, so that together we may confront the manifold challenges and threats to peace and stability across the region and the wider Sahel", Faye said.

Mali's leader Goita did not make a public comment.

Alliance of Sahel States

Along with Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali quit ECOWAS in January 2025 after teaming up to form their own confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Under Goita's administration, Mali has shunned its former colonial ruler France, which had maintained a military presence in the West African country for several years.