Algeria and Mali restore diplomatic ties, reopen airspace

Diplomatic relations between Algeria and Mali, which had significantly deteriorated in recent years, are now on a path to restoration. The strain began notably with the current Malian government’s ascent to power, which had previously accused Algiers of interfering in its internal affairs.

Bamako has officially announced the “reopening of national airspace to all civil and military aircraft operating flights to or from” Algeria, as detailed in a government statement. Furthermore, Mali confirmed the return of its ambassador to Algiers, who had been recalled in April 2025. A specific date for the ambassador’s resumption of duties was not provided.

Hours earlier, Algiers initiated the same reciprocal measure concerning its neighbor’s airspace. This decision became effective on Friday and “includes all air flights to and from Mali across various international destinations,” according to a statement from the Algerian Ministry of Defense. Mirroring Mali’s action, Algeria also declared on Friday the return of its ambassador to Mali.

Drone incident fallout

Kamel Retieb, who served as Algeria’s ambassador in Bamako before his recall by Algiers, is set to resume his diplomatic post. His recall followed a significant dispute triggered by the destruction of a Malian drone by Algerian forces in April 2025, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Algeria, which played a pivotal role in brokering the 2015 peace agreement between Bamako and armed groups in the north, saw its influence challenged by Mali’s new authorities. These new leaders have consistently accused Algeria of meddling in their domestic affairs, contributing to the political Sahel tensions.

Mali has been grappling with a severe security crisis since 2012, fueled by violence from groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS), alongside community-based criminal gangs. This ongoing challenge underscores the complex security Sahel landscape.

The diplomatic quarrel between the two nations escalated dramatically in the spring of 2025 following the destruction of a Malian military drone near their shared border. Algeria maintained that the aircraft had violated its airspace, while Mali countered that the drone was operating within its own territory.

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

Further tensions arose in April when Mali announced its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a position directly opposing Algeria’s long-standing stance on the issue.

Despite these past disagreements, Algeria and Mali share an extensive border and face common security challenges, most notably the crucial fight against jihadist groups active throughout the Sahel region, highlighting the need for continued cooperation in West Africa Sahel news.