The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has escalated diplomatic tensions with Algeria following the downing of a Malian drone on 1 April.
In response, AES member countries withdrew their ambassadors from Algiers, condemning the “hostile action” as a breach of international law and an “irresponsible act” of “Algerian aggression”. The incident, which occurred near Algeria’s border with Mali, has exacerbated ongoing diplomatic friction between the two nations. Algeria’s military claimed to have shot down the drone, alleging it had violated its airspace by more than two kilometers. However, Mali’s government rejected these claims, asserting that the drone was operating within international norms. Malian prime minister Gen. Abdoulaye Maiga labeled the action “proof” of Algeria’s support for “international terrorism,” a stark accusation that further soured relations.
The AES, formed after the military juntas in its member states distanced themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has increasingly sought to establish autonomy amid growing tensions in the region. Experts, such as Rida Lyammouri, suggest that despite the inflammatory rhetoric, the conflict is unlikely to escalate militarily. The drone’s remains, reportedly captured by opposition groups, only add to the complexity of the situation, as the crash occurred in an area of Mali that the government does not fully control. As Algeria and its southern neighbors grapple with heightened distrust, the future of regional security and alliances remains uncertain.