Three West African juntas have turned to Russia. Now the US wants to engage them

February 2, 2026

The United States has announced a major policy reversal toward Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—three West African nations under military rule that have distanced themselves from France and moved closer to Russia. The Trump administration is abandoning previous emphasis on democracy and human rights in favor of focusing solely on counterterrorism and access to strategic minerals, with a senior official visiting Mali to establish a "new course" based on respecting sovereignty. This shift represents a dramatic departure from the Biden administration's approach, which had suspended military cooperation following coups in all three countries between 2020 and 2023.

Who is affected

The military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger
Civilian populations in these three countries facing Islamist insurgencies
Deposed elected presidents, including Niger's Mohamed Bazoum who remains detained
Russia and its approximately 1,000 security contractors in Mali, plus smaller contingents in Burkina Faso and Niger
France and the European Union, whose influence is being displaced
ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and its remaining dozen member states
Neighboring countries including Benin, Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast facing cross-border militant attacks
Jihadist groups, particularly Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS)
French mining company Orano, which lost control of Niger's main uranium mine

What action is being taken

Nick Checker, head of the State Department's Bureau of African Affairs, is visiting Bamako to convey US respect for Mali's sovereignty and chart a new relationship course
The US is providing Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger with intelligence support
Africom is actively supporting the three countries in their struggle against jihadist groups and Islamic State
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are building up their own confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
ECOWAS's remaining member states are rebuilding practical cooperation with the three countries in fighting Islamist groups
Russia is deploying security contractors and troops in the three countries

Why it matters

This policy shift represents a fundamental change in American foreign policy priorities in Africa, abandoning the traditional emphasis on promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance in favor of narrowly focused security and resource interests. The Sahel region is now described as the "epicentre of global terrorism," accounting for roughly half of all terrorism deaths worldwide, creating concerns that ungoverned territory could become safe havens for jihadist groups with international reach. The change matters strategically because the region produces critical minerals including gold, lithium for rechargeable batteries, and uranium, which are now increasingly under Russian influence. It also signals American willingness to compete with Russian military presence rather than ceding the region entirely to Moscow, while simultaneously respecting the sovereignty claims of military governments that have built popularity through pan-Africanist and anti-colonial rhetoric.

What's next

Africom hints at the potential supply of weapons to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The US looks forward to cooperating with the three countries on shared security and economic interests. However, the article notes that Washington is not seeking to redeploy active forces or reopen the large drone base in Agadez, Niger.

Read full article from source: BBC