A thaw after fifteen months of crisis

Algiers and Bamako simultaneously declared the reopening of their airspaces to all flights, ending a prolonged period of restricted air travel. Mali confirmed the return of its ambassador to Algeria, recalled in April 2025, while Algeria announced the reinstatement of its diplomatic representative in Bamako. These decisions mark the end of over fifteen months of diplomatic estrangement between the two nations.

The drone incident that sparked the crisis

Tensions escalated sharply in April 2025 following the destruction of a Malian military drone near their shared border. Algeria claimed the aircraft had entered its airspace, a claim Bamako contested, asserting the drone remained within Mali’s territory. The dispute led to the recall of ambassadors, the closure of airspaces, and a wave of mutual accusations between Algeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Ongoing disagreements amid shared interests

Beyond the drone incident, Algeria and Mali’s relations had deteriorated since Mali’s military junta assumed power in 2020 and 2021. The Malian authorities frequently accused Algeria of interference, citing its historical role in the 2015 peace agreement between Mali’s government and northern armed groups. Tensions further intensified after Mali endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara—a stance at odds with Algeria’s position. Despite these differences, the two nations share a long border and face common security threats, particularly the ongoing jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region.