Algeria’s alleged role in Sahel terrorism fuels regional tensions

Mali and Niger have once again raised concerns about Algeria’s alleged involvement in exporting terrorism across the Sahel. Both countries claim Algiers provides shelter, logistical support, and political cover to armed factions operating south of its borders, indirectly fueling instability in the region.

During a recent regional security meeting in Senegal, officials from Bamako and Niamey refrained from explicitly naming Algeria. However, their remarks closely mirrored previous accusations by Malian authorities, which accuse Algiers of serving as a rear base for terrorist and separatist groups active in northern Mali.

Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop emphasized the gravity of the issue, stating, “Some neighboring countries are currently offering sanctuary to terrorist organizations, backing hostile forces, or receiving fighters who launch attacks against our nations.”

Security experts trace today’s Sahel insurgency back to the fallout of Algeria’s 1990s civil conflict. Following military setbacks in Algeria, many militant factions regrouped and moved southward, evolving into groups like al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). This organization emerged from Algeria’s Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), itself a faction of the Armed Islamic Group that waged war against Algiers during the “Black Decade.” For years, these groups were led by Algerian nationals who relocated operations to Mali and the broader Sahara under homegrown military pressure.

Allegations of collusion between Algerian security forces and Sahel-based militants persist. Mali has formally condemned Algeria’s alleged support for terrorism at the United Nations, particularly after relations between the two countries soured last year.

The root of the dispute lies in northern Mali, where armed factions—including terrorist groups and Tuareg-led militias—have challenged state authority for over a decade. Bamako contends that these groups exploit porous borders and Algeria’s lenient policies toward militants operating along its southern frontier.

Last September, Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga addressed the United Nations General Assembly, accusing Algeria of shifting from a counterterrorism ally to what he termed an “exporter of terrorism” in the Sahel. These accusations gained momentum after Algerian forces downed a Malian military drone near their shared border in late March. Bamako labeled the incident a deliberate act to shield terrorist leaders targeted by its own operations.

In response, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso jointly recalled their ambassadors from Algiers and issued a joint statement accusing Algeria of backing terrorism. Niger, a long-standing ally of Mali, has consistently aligned itself with Bamako in disputes involving Algeria.

Nigerien authorities supported Mali’s retaliatory measures following the drone incident and voiced solidarity against Algeria’s alleged role in fueling terrorism. General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger’s military leader, has previously accused multiple foreign governments of sponsoring attacks against his country. Niamey’s stance reinforces the perception that Algeria is increasingly viewed as a destabilizing force in the Sahel.

For now, the disagreement over Algeria’s involvement exposes deeper fractures in West African security dynamics. Regional military leaders argue that counterterrorism efforts cannot succeed while neighboring states continue policies they deem destabilizing or permissive.