US Demands Mali Drop Russia as AES Bloc Gains Leverage

In this episode of The Breakdown, we examine why the US demands Mali drop Russia as a condition for renewed security cooperation, marking a sharp shift after years of limited engagement in the Sahel. According to diplomats familiar with talks in Bamako, Washington offered support against jihadist groups but tied it to ending Mali’s partnership with Russia’s Africa Corps and restoring constitutional rule. Malian officials did not reject the proposal, yet they shifted the discussion to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the bloc formed with Burkina Faso and Niger. By invoking the AES, Mali signaled it will not negotiate alone and framed security policy as a regional decision. The move reflects growing geopolitical competition in a region rich in gold and uranium, while raising questions about whether Washington can adapt to bloc diplomacy or continue pressing individual states.