Gambiaj.com – (ALGIERS, Algeria) – Algeria has taken drastic diplomatic measures by closing its airspace to flights to and from Mali and recalling its ambassadors from Mali and Niger. The decision follows allegations from Malian authorities that Algeria shot down a Malian reconnaissance drone inside Malian territory, a claim that has escalated tensions between the North African nation and its Sahelian neighbors.

The dispute erupted after Bamako accused Algerian forces of downing the drone near the border. Algeria has strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as “serious and unfounded,” and criticized both Niger and Burkina Faso for aligning with Mali in the dispute.

In response to the accusations, Algeria has postponed the deployment of its new ambassador to Burkina Faso and summoned its envoys from Mali and Niger for consultations. The country’s Ministry of Defence stated that radar data confirmed the drone had violated Algerian airspace near Tin-Zaouatine, marking the third such incursion in recent months.

Regional Fallout and Security Concerns

The diplomatic standoff has further strained Algeria’s relations with its southern neighbors, already tense due to geopolitical shifts in the Sahel region. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have responded by recalling their ambassadors from Algiers. The Malian government also took the significant step of withdrawing from the Algeria-based Joint Military Staff Committee (CEMOC), a regional security platform designed for counterterrorism coordination.

Bamako remains steadfast in its claim that the drone was deliberately shot down in a hostile act, stating that its wreckage was found approximately nine kilometers south of the Algerian border. Meanwhile, Algerian officials have accused Mali’s military-led government of using the incident to deflect attention from its internal struggles. They referred to the Malian leadership as a “putschist project,” highlighting the country’s instability following its 2020 and 2021 coups.

A Pattern of Tensions

This is not the first time Algeria and Mali have clashed diplomatically. A similar dispute occurred in late 2023, though it was short-lived. Since then, Mali has moved closer to Russia, severing its 2015 peace accord with Algeria and distancing itself from traditional Western allies like France and the United Nations.

Despite the current diplomatic fallout, analysts believe the conflict is unlikely to escalate into a military confrontation. However, relations between the two nations remain uncertain, with little sign of immediate reconciliation.

France and Algeria: A Separate Track of Reconciliation?

As Algeria navigates tensions with its southern neighbors, it appears to be mending ties with France. The two countries had previously faced diplomatic strains over Algiers’ refusal to accept the return of undocumented Algerian migrants from France. However, during a recent visit to Algiers, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced a “strategic dialogue on the Sahel,” aimed at enhancing cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts.

Reports suggest that high-level intelligence discussions between France and Algeria are in the works, focusing on security challenges in the region. While the details remain undisclosed, the move signals a potential thaw in Franco-Algerian relations amidst broader geopolitical shifts in the Sahel.

Algeria’s decision to close its airspace to Malian flights marks a significant step, signaling its unwillingness to tolerate what it perceives as provocations. Whether this latest row will lead to long-term estrangement or eventual reconciliation remains uncertain, but for now, the diplomatic frost between Algeria, Mali, and their Sahelian neighbors shows no signs of thawing.