Could the Trump Administration be working on another security for minerals deal similar to the one worked out between the DRC and Rwanda?
The short answer is that they are working towards one. Whether or not it comes to fruition is yet another matter. The main surprise may be the country that the Administration is focused on. That country is Mali.
We know that President Trump is not a fan of conflict yet he also shows sign of pragmatism. He always seeks to do what is in the best interest of the United States first yet seeks to have “good deals for all” as he has often stated.
Within the last month two senior administration officials, Rudy Atallah a deputy senior director for counterterrorism at the Nationa Security Council and William Stevens the deputy assistant secretary of state for West Africa have paid visits to Bamako. Relations between Washington and Bamako soured even further after the coup by Col. Assimi Goita four years ago.
Relations with the Biden Administration deteriorated after the junta decided to use the Russian Private Military Company Wagner later supplanted by the Afrika Corps to assist security forces with training after ousting the former colonial power France. Col Goika has also missed some deadlines that were promised to restore a civilian government in Bamako. This was not the only issue between Mali and the United States. After the coup in 2012, the Obama Administration suspended the MCC (Millenium Challenge Corporation) compact with Mali. The main project that the MCC was funding was a Rural Electricfaction Project in the northern part of Mali. That project remains incomplete to this very day.
So now what is the proposal that is being made by the Trump Administration to Mali? According to Abdoulaye Diop the Foreign Minister of Mali, the conversations focused on “ the fight against armed terrorist groups supported by foreign state sponsors,” This means that security is a paramount issue and that the Russian promises have not been delivered. One could see a subtle dig at the neighbor to the north Algeria. That country has also held talks in recent weeks with the Trump Administration regarding access to minerals also.
Now it is time to ask what minerals does Mali have that the US would be interested in? This answer is quite simple as well. There are two minerals that the United States is interested in. They are Lithium and Gold. Mali is currently among the top five in Africa for producing lithium and is the Continent’s third largest producer of Gold. It should be noted that the Afrika Corps has been paid in Gold for their operations in Mali by the current junta.
There are some interesting theories to be explored. Could this move by the Administration be part of a policy to impose a form of sanctions against Russia? This idea is most promising. Cutting off this source of funding for Afrika Corps could dent their ability to fund operations especially in Ukraine. There have also been reports by Human Rights groups documenting the abuses and atrocities committed in Mali. Could this be an effort by the current leadership to restore its image abroad while actively seeking new partners in both providing security and economic investments?
By having these conversations Mali realizes that they have a lot to gain from these conversations. Trump could easily have a win over Putin as well. That is a goal worth exploring.
