BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Days after American diplomats and nationals were told to leave Mali, a senior U.S. official praised the military junta and hinted at cooperation between the two governments after years of a strained diplomatic relationship.

“The U.S. commends the armed forces of Mali in their fight against Islamic extremist militants (JNIM). Today I had an excellent conversation with Mali’s Foreign Minister to discuss our shared security interests in the region. Look forward to greater cooperation,” Christopher Landau, the deputy secretary at the U.S. State Department, said in a post on X late Tuesday.

This represents a public shift in the U.S. government’s stance on cooperation with Mali’s military leaders.

Mali’s ministry of foreign affairs declined to comment.

Under the Trump adm

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