US Signals Engagement with Sahel Juntas as Russia Deepens Ties

The United States is shifting its West Africa policy to engage with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger—junta-led states that have aligned with Russia and broken with France—by sending Nick Checker to Bamako to discuss sovereignty and chart a new security-economics-focused relationship. The move signals a de-emphasis of democracy rhetoric, aims to provide intelligence support and potential weapons without a large-scale military redeployment, and seeks to counter jihadist threats while protecting regional minerals, as Russia’s growing presence in the Sahel prompts Washington to balance Moscow’s influence amid Ecowas’ evolving stance.