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As President Donald Trump returns to office in 2025, his administration is reshaping U.S. foreign policy with a renewed emphasis on strategic interests and transactional diplomacy. Nowhere is this shift more evident than in East Africa and the Sahel, where peace and security efforts are being recalibrated to reflect a “something for something” doctrine—one that ties U.S. engagement to tangible returns, particularly in the realm of critical minerals and geopolitical alignment.

In East Africa, the Trump administration has intensified its diplomatic outreach, led by Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos. His visits to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signal a clear intent: to secure American investment opportunities while brokering peace agreements that serve mutual interests. The administration’s strategy blends economic incentives with security guarantees, offering infrastructure support and counterterrorism aid in exchange for access to strategic resources and political cooperation.

Meanwhile, in the Sahel, the landscape remains volatile. A surge in military coups and extremist violence has destabilized countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The Trump administration has responded with a selective engagement model—prioritizing nations that align with U.S. strategic goals or offer commercial leverage. Support is increasingly conditional, with aid and military assistance tied to reforms, resource agreements, or distancing from rival powers such as China and Russia.

This transactional approach has sparked mixed reactions across the continent. Some African governments view it as an opportunity to attract investment and strengthen bilateral ties. Others express concern that conditional diplomacy could undermine inclusive governance and long-term peacebuilding. Civil society organizations, in particular, warn that sidelining democratic norms and human rights in favor of short-term deals may erode trust and deepen existing grievances.

Despite these tensions, the Trump administration maintains that its strategy is pragmatic and results-driven. By focusing on stability through strength and economic reciprocity, it aims to counter global competitors, secure supply chains, and reinforce American influence in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. Africa’s growing importance—both as a source of critical minerals and as a theatre of strategic competition—makes it central to this vision.

Ultimately, peace and security building under Trump 2.0 reflects a shift from traditional aid models to a more calculated, interest-based engagement. Whether this approach will yield sustainable peace or exacerbate existing fault lines remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Africa’s role in U.S. foreign policy is being redefined—not just as a partner in development, but as a pivotal player in global strategy.