Di United States don shift dia approach to Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, di three countries wey military junta dey rule. For years, US policy for di region na to push for democracy after di coups wey happen between 2020 and 2023. But now, under President Donald Trump, Washington dey focus more on security cooperation, counterterrorism, and economic interest.
Nick Checker, a senior official for US State Department Bureau of African Affairs, recently visit Bamako, where e meet Mali Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop. Before di visit, di bureau tok for X say di US want to ‘chart a new course’ for di relationship with Mali, and reaffirm respect for di country sovereignty. Di bureau also say dem look forward to consult with oda governments for di region, including Burkina Faso and Niger, on ‘shared security and economic interests.’
Di US don near a deal with Mali to resume intelligence operations, including aircraft and drone flights over Malian territory, to monitor jihadist groups wey dey linked to al-Qaeda. Dis move follow Washington decision to lift sanctions on three senior Malian officials wey dem target before for dia links to Russia Wagner Group. Dis go be a big reversal for US, wey lose access to dia drone base for Niger after di 2023 coup and di collapse of security relations with di junta.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger don turn more to Moscow since dem break with France and oda Western partners. Russia don reposition dia presence through Africa Corps, a state-controlled structure wey don take over much of Wagner role for di region. Di Associated Press report say Wagner announce dia withdrawal from Mali for 2025, but Russia Africa Corps remain for di country, showing a shift from mercenary branding to direct Russian state-backed military presence.
Moscow don also pledge military support to di AES countries joint force, wey dem create to fight jihadist groups across di central Sahel. Mali don dey battle jihadist groups since 2012. Di conflict don spread across borders into Niger and Burkina Faso, killing thousands, displacing millions, and weakening state authority for large parts of di region. AFP recently report say at least 15 drivers die for attack on a fuel tanker convoy for Mali. Di attack dey linked to a bigger blockade by di al-Qaeda-linked Group for di Support of Islam and Muslims, known as JNIM, wey don target supply routes and increase pressure on Mali economy.
‘Di United States see how di jihadists dey settle for di Sahel,’ a diplomat for di US Embassy for Bamako tell AFP on condition of anonymity. A Malian diplomat also say di US envoy don ‘come to make an offer of services to AES countries to see under what conditions di United States can get involved for di fight against jihadists for di Sahel.’
Russia dey use di worsening insecurity to present itself as a more reliable partner than di West. After an attack on di airport for Niger capital, Niamey, for January, Russia say dia forces work with Niger army to repel di assault. ‘Di African Corps of di Russian Defence Ministry and di Armed Forces of Niger jointly repelled di attack, neutralised about 20 terrorists and seized di attackers belongings and weapons,’ Russia Foreign Ministry say for a statement. Russia add say e ‘will continue to make a constructive contribution to strengthening regional security, including assistance aiming to boost di combat readiness of national armed forces, by training service personnel and law enforcement officers.’
Mali be a major gold producer and dey become more important for lithium. Niger hold large uranium reserves, while Burkina Faso be one of West Africa biggest gold producers. As global powers dey compete for access to minerals wey dey needed for energy, defence, technology, and industrial supply chains. But di US face a difficult balancing act. Re-engaging di juntas fit give Washington a way back into di Sahel, but e fit also weaken dia democracy and human rights message. Massad Boulos, Trump senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, tell Le Monde for October say democracy be ‘appreciated,’ but no longer be a condition for relations.
Dat position don draw criticism. ‘Unfortunately, e no be democracy or human rights wey matter to Donald Trump administration,’ Reed Brody, one of di lawyers for Niger deposed president Mohamed Bazoum, tell DW. Bazoum don remain for detention since dem overthrow am for Niger 2023 coup. ‘E clear say di Americans no dey concerned about democracy for di Sahel right now,’ Ulf Laessing, director of di Sahel programme for di Konrad Adenauer Foundation, tell DW. ‘Dem don adopt a pragmatic stance.’
For di AES governments, dis shift give dem more room to bargain. Dem fit engage Russia, open talks with di US, reject French pressure, and still present themselves at home as defenders of sovereignty. France don withdraw militarily from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, while Burkina Faso recently cut diplomatic ties with Paris. Oda European countries remain involved through development programmes, but dia political influence don weaken sharply. Russia dey offer security support. Di US dey test a pragmatic reset. Europe dey lose leverage. And Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso dey use di rivalry to expand dia options.
