Faith Nyasuguta
Mali has accused neighbouring Algeria of backing terrorism, escalating tensions after Algeria shot down a Malian military drone near their shared border last week.
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, Mali’s foreign ministry rejected Algeria’s claims that the drone had breached its airspace, instead labelling the incident a “hostile premeditated action.” Algeria has yet to respond to the accusation.
The incident occurred near Tinzaoutin, a strategic border town where Malian forces are battling Tuareg separatists. Mali claims that its drone was tracking a terrorist group in the area and that Algeria’s military action prevented the group’s neutralisation.
Mali’s military-led government, which has ruled since a 2020 coup, said the drone’s remains were recovered 9.5km within its own territory, contradicting Algeria’s version that the drone had entered 2km into its airspace.
Algeria acknowledged last Wednesday that it had downed an “armed reconnaissance drone” that had allegedly crossed into its airspace from Mali. But Bamako maintains the drone was operating entirely within its borders.
In response, Mali has summoned Algeria’s ambassador in Bamako and announced plans to file complaints with international institutions. The country has also withdrawn from a regional security framework that includes Algeria.
This latest dispute marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two countries, who were once allies in negotiating peace with northern Malian rebels. Mali has repeatedly accused Algeria of offering sanctuary to Tuareg armed groups, who have long demanded autonomy in northern Mali.
The fallout is not limited to Mali alone. Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali’s military-led allies under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have also recalled their ambassadors from Algeria in solidarity. In a joint statement, the three nations condemned Algeria’s actions, saying the drone had been targeting a terrorist cell planning attacks against the AES bloc.
Algeria, historically a key mediator in Mali’s conflicts, has recently fortified its borders amid rising insecurity across the Sahel. The country deployed additional troops to prevent the movement of jihadists and weapons from conflict zones in Mali and its neighbouring states.
With diplomatic relations at a new low, regional cooperation on counterterrorism in the volatile Sahel region appears increasingly fragile.
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