From crisis to rapprochement: a historic shift
Alger and Bamako have simultaneously declared the reopening of their airspaces to both civilian and military aviation. Mali confirmed the return of its ambassador to Algeria, who had been recalled in April 2025, while Algeria announced its own envoy would resume duties in Bamako. These measures bring an end to more than fifteen months of diplomatic estrangement between the two neighboring nations.
The drone incident that sparked the dispute
The relationship between Algeria and Mali deteriorated sharply following the destruction of a Malian military drone near their shared border in April 2025. Algiers claimed the aircraft had entered Algerian airspace, a narrative Bamako vehemently contested, asserting the drone was operating within Malian territory. The incident escalated into the recall of ambassadors, the closure of airspaces, and a series of mutual accusations between Algeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Ongoing disagreements amid 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 frequently accuse Algeria of interference, citing its historical involvement in the 2015 peace agreement between Mali and northern armed groups. Disagreements further intensified following Mali’s public endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara—a stance diametrically opposed to Algeria’s position. Despite these rifts, the two countries share a long border and face pressing security challenges, particularly the fight against jihadist groups active across the Sahel region.