Relations between Algeria and Mali thaw after year-long rift over drone

Lead

Algeria and Mali have reinstated their ambassadors and reopened their airspace to each other's planes, more than a year after a diplomatic rift over the downing of a Malian drone. The announcements, made by both governments on Friday, reverse reprisal measures that had been in place for 15 months.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced on Saturday that the country's ambassador would return to Mali, a day after Algiers fully reopened its airspace to civilian and military aircraft travelling to and from its southern neighbour, as reported by Al Jazeera. Issa Ousmane Coulibaly, spokesperson for Mali's military government, confirmed in a statement that Bamako had taken reciprocal measures, the outlet added.

AllAfrica and RFI — English reported that both governments released statements on Friday confirming that airspace would immediately reopen to military and civilian aircraft and that envoys were preparing to redeploy.

Coverage Comparison

The three sources covering the story — Al Jazeera, AllAfrica, and RFI — English — uniformly reported the core facts: the reinstatement of ambassadors and the reopening of airspace. Al Jazeera framed the development as a thaw in relations, while AllAfrica and RFI presented the news in a neutral, informative tone. The sources agree on the timeline: relations were suspended in April 2025 after Mali accused Algeria of shooting down a Malian reconnaissance drone, a claim Algeria denied, saying the aircraft had strayed into its airspace.

All sources also noted that Mali, joined by its Sahel allies Niger and Burkina Faso, withdrew their ambassadors from Algeria over the incident. Algeria then closed its airspace to flights to and from Mali and recalled its ambassadors from Mali and Niger, describing the allegations as "serious and unfounded."

Key Claims

• Mali and Algeria have reopened their airspace to each other's planes and reinstated their ambassadors, as announced by both governments on Friday, according to AllAfrica and RFI — English.
• Diplomatic relations between the two countries had been suspended since April 2025, following Mali's accusation that Algeria shot down one of its reconnaissance drones in Malian airspace, as reported by all three sources.
• Algeria claimed the drone had strayed into its airspace near the border, a claim Mali's military government denied, according to AllAfrica and RFI — English.
• Mali filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice in September, alleging Algeria shot down the drone to hinder Mali's military campaign against armed rebels, as reported by AllAfrica and RFI — English.
• Mali also pulled out of a regional joint military staff committee formed by Algeria, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, according to AllAfrica and RFI — English.
• Al Jazeera noted that many analysts argue armed groups were able to establish a foothold in the Sahel partly because of the NATO-backed overthrow of longtime Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, leaving a power vacuum exploited by such groups.