The U.S. has lifted sanctions on three senior Malian officials tied to Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, signaling warming bilateral ties.
The delisted officials include Defense Minister Sadio Camara and military leaders Alou Boi Diarra and Adama Bagayoko.
The sanctions had targeted their connections to Wagner, now largely defunct and integrated into Russia’s Africa Corps.
There was no immediate comment from the Malian government regarding the decision, leaving observers waiting for a formal reaction.
Last month, U.S. envoy Nick Checker visited Mali to discuss ways to deepen cooperation and rebuild bilateral relations.
Washington has also resumed intelligence sharing with Mali, aiming to strengthen counterterrorism operations across the Sahel region.
Experts say the move forms part of a broader U.S. strategy to re-engage with countries led by military juntas.
Cameron Hudson, a former CIA and State Department official, noted the U.S. aims to counter jihadist threats despite political constraints.
The Biden administration lost its main Sahel spy base in Niger, limiting intelligence-gathering flights and regional counterterrorism capacity.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger face a decade-long jihadist insurgency, with violence spilling into coastal countries and rising casualties.
The delisting marks a delicate balancing act, as Washington seeks security cooperation while navigating sensitive political relationships in Africa.
Analysts suggest the U.S. move underscores a shift from strict sanctions toward pragmatic engagement to combat expanding extremist threats.