Algeria closed its airspace in response to a “serious and unfounded allegation” that she traveled back and forth between Mali and Niger’s ambassadors with Mali, recalling the ambassadors from Mali and Niger, and shot down Mariandrone.
The diplomatic row broke out after Marian authorities accused Algeria of defeating one of the reconnaissance drones in Mali’s territory.
The incident has already strained relations with Algeria’s Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
In addition to remembering the envoy for consultation, Algeria has postponed the deployment of a new ambassador to Burkina Faso. Algiers has expressed deep rage at the accusations that have strengthened diplomatic friction along the southern border.
He also took the unprecedented step of closing the airspace to and from Mali.
According to the Algerian Ministry of Defense, radar data proved that the drone had violated Algerian airspace near the border town of Tin Zauatin.
This marked the third such invasion in recent months, according to Algerian officials.
Mali, Niger and Burkina recall the Algerian ambassador over the drone incident
“False” accusation
In a strongly expressed statement, Algeria accused Mali of “false” and criticised Niger and Burkina Faso for what they called “unthinkable alignment” with Mali.
However, Bamako has asserted that the drone was intentionally shot down in hostile acts, claiming it had discovered about 9 km of wreckage south of the Algerian border.
The Marian government summoned the Algerian ambassador, filed formal protests and later announced its withdrawal from the Algeria-based Military Staff Committee (CEMOC), a regional security platform aimed at coordinating anti-terrorism efforts across the Sahel.
Meanwhile, Algeria has accused Mali’s military-led government of using the case from its own internal struggle, referring to Mali’s political direction as the “Putschist Project” since the 2020 and 2021 coups, as a “Putschist Project” that only deepens instability and instability.
French FM in Algeria resets bilateral relations
Sign up for the AllAfrica newsletter for free
Get the latest African news
success!
Almost finished…
You need to check your email address.
Follow the instructions in the email you sent to complete the process.
error!
There was a problem processing the submission. Please try again later.
The collapse of traditional diplomatic relations
The relationship between Algiers and Bamako remains unpredictable, but some Sahel and Algerian observers contacted by the RFI say they don’t think Spat will not be militarized. However, the dialogue between the two countries has been chilly for a while.
A similar diplomatic incident, which unfolded in the second half of 2023, was short-lived. Since then, Mali has cut off the 2015 peace agreement with Algeria and moved into close ties with Russia, keeping its distance from traditional partners such as France and the United Nations.
In the diplomatic fallout of the incident, France and Algeria appear to be restructuring their relationship after a collapse of relations over their refusal to accept the return of undocumented Algerian migrants from France.
During a visit to Algiers on Monday, French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barott announced the launch of a “Strategic Dialogue in the Sahel” although details are enclosed.
It is reportedly also in the pipeline that high-level intelligence talks focusing on counter-terrorism.
