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

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete February 2, 2026 at 02:12 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

The US State Department announced a policy shift towards Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, three West African nations led by military juntas that have strengthened ties with Russia. Nick Checker, head of the Bureau of African Affairs, will visit Mali to express respect for its sovereignty and explore a new relationship, signaling a departure from previous concerns about democracy and human rights. This shift follows the suspension of US military cooperation after coups in the three countries between 2020 and 2023. The US aims to cooperate with these nations on shared security and economic interests, focusing on security and mineral resources. This policy change reflects a broader trend since Donald Trump returned to the White House, prioritizing security and resources over development and governance in the region.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Mohamed Bazoum 50% USAID 50% Massad Boulos 50% Nick Checker ×260% Ibrahim Traoré 60% France ×270% Donald Trump ×270% Burkina Faso ×280% Niger ×280% Russia 80% Mali ×490% United States ×490%

Keywords

us policy shift 90% military juntas 80% west africa 80% russia 70% france 60% security interests 60% economic interests 50% sovereignty 50% anti-imperialism 40%