After years of strained relations, Algeria and Mali have announced significant steps towards normalization, including the reciprocal reopening of their airspaces and the return of their respective ambassadors. This move signals a thaw in a diplomatic dispute that saw relations deteriorate, particularly following the current Malian government’s accusations of Algerian interference in its internal affairs.

The Malian government confirmed its decision to “reopen national airspace to all civilian and military aircraft operating flights to or from” Algeria. This announcement was made via an official communiqué.

Additionally, Bamako declared the imminent return of its ambassador to Algiers, who had been recalled in April 2025. A specific date for his return was not immediately provided.

Hours prior, Algiers had initiated similar measures concerning its neighbor’s airspace. The Algerian Ministry of Defense released a statement confirming the decision, effective this Friday, to open its airspace for “all air traffic to and from Mali across various international destinations.”

Mirroring Mali’s actions, Algeria also confirmed on Friday the return of its ambassador to Mali.

Drone incident sparks prior dispute

Ambassador Kamel Retieb, who previously served in Bamako before his recall by Algiers, will resume his diplomatic duties. His recall stemmed from a diplomatic row in April 2025, triggered by the destruction of a Malian drone by Algerian forces.

Algeria, which played a pivotal role in brokering the 2015 peace accord between Bamako and northern armed groups, found its influence challenged by the new Malian authorities. These authorities have consistently accused Algeria of meddling in their domestic affairs.

Since 2012, Mali has grappled with a severe security crisis, fueled by violence from groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS), alongside community-based criminal gangs.

The diplomatic quarrel between Algeria and Mali intensified in the spring of 2025 following the destruction of a Malian military drone near their shared border.

Algeria maintained that the aircraft had encroached upon its airspace, while Mali countered that the drone was operating within its own territory.

This incident escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis, characterized by the recall of ambassadors, mutual airspace closures, and a series of accusations exchanged between Algiers and the Alliance of Sahel States (comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger).

Further tensions arose in April with Mali’s announcement of support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a stance directly opposing Algeria’s long-held position.

Despite these past disagreements, both nations recognize their enduring ties, including a lengthy shared border and common security imperatives, particularly the ongoing struggle against jihadist groups active across the Sahel region.