The US and Mali are on the verge of a major diplomatic reset that could put American eyes back in the West African skies. By lifting sanctions on top Malian officials, Washington is successfully smoothing over past tensions to resume vital drone surveillance missions against regional jihadist groups, including al Qaeda and JNIM. The intelligence effort is also tied to the search for an American pilot kidnapped in neighboring Niger and believed to be held captive in the region. As the Trump administration trades lectures on democracy for “mutual respect,” this partnership looks like a win-win for both nations’ security. If finalized, the arrangement is bound to mark a significant shift in US-Sahel relations.
CNBC Africa
