US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee Landau, held talks with Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop on Friday to discuss regional security and efforts to stabilize the Sahel region, according to a statement from the US Embassy in Bamako.
The discussion focused on counterterrorism cooperation, Mali’s political transition, and the importance of restoring democratic governance following the country’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Landau emphasized the United States’ commitment to supporting peace and security initiatives across the Sahel, while urging Mali to maintain dialogue with regional partners to address the growing threat of violent extremism. “The US remains ready to work with Mali and its neighbors to achieve a stable, secure, and prosperous Sahel,” she said, as reported by Voice of America.
Sources from Reuters and Bloomberg noted that the meeting comes amid renewed US engagement in West Africa, particularly as Washington seeks to strengthen diplomatic and security cooperation following the exit of French and UN forces from Mali.
