Armed Nigerian military officers are seen in a pickup truck patrolling the area amid heightened security concerns.
The United States is signaling a fresh push to rebuild ties with Mali following a high-level visit to Bamako by Nick Checker, head of the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs. Talks with Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop centered on reviving security cooperation against jihadist groups while expanding trade and investment, reflecting Washington’s new “trade, not aid” strategy. With Mali rich in gold, lithium, and uranium, both sides described renewed engagement as a mutually beneficial partnership. Behind the scenes, US officials hinted at offering support to the Alliance of Sahel States under conditions tied to political transition and security reforms. The outreach comes as Russia deepens its influence across the region, reshaping Sahel geopolitics.
RFI