Breaking fifteen months of diplomatic freeze
Algiers and Bamako have simultaneously confirmed the reopening of their airspaces to both civilian and military aircraft. Mali has also declared the imminent return of its ambassador to Algeria, recalled in April 2025, while Algeria will reinstate its diplomatic representative in Bamako. These reciprocal gestures mark the end of a prolonged diplomatic rift between the two neighboring states.
Roots of the crisis: a disputed military drone incident
The deterioration of relations began in April 2025 when a Malian military drone was destroyed near their shared border. Algeria claimed the aircraft had violated its airspace, a narrative Bamako strongly contested, asserting the drone was operating within Malian territory. The incident triggered a chain reaction: ambassadors were recalled, airspaces were shut down, and mutual accusations flew between Algeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Ongoing disagreements despite shared interests
Beyond this specific episode, tensions between Algiers and Bamako have simmered since the Malian junta came to power in 2020 and 2021. The transitional authorities in Mali have repeatedly accused Algeria of interference, particularly due to its historical role in the 2015 peace accord between Mali’s government and northern armed groups. Differences have further widened following Mali’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara—a stance at odds with Algeria’s long-standing position. Despite these persistent disagreements, both countries share a lengthy border and face common security threats, notably the fight against jihadist groups active in the Sahel region.