After a diplomatic hiatus spanning over a year, ties between Algeria and Mali are showing clear signs of improvement. Both nations have now reinstated their ambassadors and reopened their respective airspaces, marking a significant step in recent Sahel current affairs.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune confirmed the imminent return of Algeria’s ambassador to Mali. This announcement followed closely on the heels of Algiers’ decision to fully reopen its airspace for both civilian and military flights traveling to and from its southern neighbor.
In a corresponding statement, the spokesperson for Mali’s military government verified that Bamako had implemented similar reciprocal measures, reinforcing the commitment to re-establishing stable Algeria Mali diplomatic relations.
The downturn in relations between these two significant African nations began last April, stemming from Algeria’s assertion that it had shot down a Malian surveillance drone for infringing upon its airspace. Bamako, however, disputes this account, maintaining that the drone was downed within its own territorial boundaries.
This diplomatic rift between Algeria and Mali had broader implications, contributing to heightened security vulnerabilities across the Sahel region. Mali is a key member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), alongside Burkina Faso and Niger. In a show of solidarity with their ally, both Ouagadougou and Niamey had also recalled their ambassadors from Algeria last April, a notable point in Mali Niger Burkina reporting.