Mali and Algeria End Diplomatic Rift

Mali and Algeria have reopened their airspace and reinstated ambassadors, ending a diplomatic rift that began in April 2025, after Algeria downed a Malian drone near their shared border.

Algeria had accused Mali of repeated airspace violations, with Bamako denying the claims. Relations between the two neighbors started deteriorating two years ago, after Mali withdrew from the Algiers Accord, a 2015 peace agreement with Tuareg rebels. Mali has also accused Algeria of supporting armed groups linked to al-Qaida, which Algiers denies.

Dalia Ghanem wrote for WPR in October 2025 that the spiraling security crisis in Mali and other parts of the Sahel would eventually force Algeria to take stronger action in the region.

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