US strengthens intelligence sharing with Mali’s military junta, report says

The Washington Post has revealed that the US has strengthened intelligence sharing with the military administration in Mali in recent months.

According to three current and former American officials who spoke to the newspaper, Washington is taking this step to help stop the advance of extremist groups in West Africa.

Intelligence was used in Malian army operations

The officials stated that the intelligence provided was used in attacks conducted by the Malian army.

According to the report, this development is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to re-engage with the isolated military junta, with which Washington has largely maintained its distance since the junta came to power in 2021.

American and Malian officials noted that new rules of engagement began to take shape during the Donald Trump era.

“The message is clear: We are not judging how you came to power”

A former American official, speaking to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, summarized the administration’s stance:

“The administration is making it clear: It is not our right to judge how you came to power. The message is… If you are there, we are here,” he said.

American officials emphasized that Washington’s strategy is still in the development phase.

The administration is reportedly trying to resolve how it will address concerns about the military junta’s human rights record and the possibility of it passing US intelligence to Moscow.

One of the current officials stated, “Mali is a largely flawed partner.”