ЦНАИ ИВ РАН / CSAI IOS RAS

🇺🇸🇲🇱🇧🇫🇳🇪US expands military and technical cooperation with AES 🟢Since January 2026, the Trump administration has actively restored and expanded military and technical cooperation with the member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES): Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. Washington has abandoned the strict democracy-based conditionality of the Biden era, shifting to a pragmatic approach focused on shared security, counterterrorism, economic interests (primarily resource contracts), and countering Russian and Chinese influence in the region. 🟢The main impetus for this shift came from the February–March 2026 visits of senior U.S. State Department official N. Cheker to Bamako, Ouagadougou, and Niamey. The American representative emphasized respect for the AES countries' sovereignty and expressed a willingness to develop cooperation in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and logistical support without political conditions. 🟢Cooperation with Burkina Faso is developing most dynamically. On June 6, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou announced an expansion of the partnership to include a medical component under the State Partnership Program. Burkinabè military surgeons received training in Washington on treating traumatic shock injuries. Discussions are underway regarding the resumption of arms deliveries and the lifting of export restrictions. While emphasizing its role as a key partner in counterterrorism efforts, the United States has also shown interest in gold-mining contracts. 🟢On May 26, in Niger, the United States delivered a batch of military equipment and supplies worth $2.3 million, including gear, protective equipment, medical supplies, and rescue equipment. The return of U.S. military personnel and the reopening of Air Base 201 near Agadez are being actively discussed. Nigerian authorities are proceeding cautiously, seeking to maximize benefits, and have not yet issued an official response to the delivery. 🟢Cooperation with Mali is proceeding more cautiously and incrementally. In February, sanctions were lifted on several Malian military officials, and intelligence-sharing agreements were made with groups fighting al-Qaeda-linked organizations. In April, Pentagon representatives met with their Malian counterparts. While full-fledged military cooperation has not yet been restored, dialogue continues. 🟢Overall, U.S. assistance remains primarily non-lethal, focusing on equipment, medical support, intelligence, and personnel training. Trump is leveraging State Partnership Program mechanisms and procurement agreements to restore the operational interoperability lost following the 2022–2023 coups in AES countries and the subsequent sanctions imposed under the Biden administration. 🟢The AES states continue to pursue a multi-vector foreign policy, distancing themselves from France and ECOWAS, while maintaining close ties with Russia and China, and remaining open to pragmatic cooperation with the United States. A full-scale return of the U.S. military presence to previous levels is unlikely in the medium term due to a lack of trust and the consolidated position of the alliance. Nevertheless, the process of resetting relations is clearly gaining momentum. #CSAI #Sahel