Algeria and Mali tensions causing concern across West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has stated it’s “deep concern” over the ongoing tensions between Algeria and Mali.

As reported by The New Arab on April 10th, the countries have now closed their airspace to each other following accusations that Algeria shot down an armed reconnaissance drone from Mali.

ECOWAS has appealed for both Algeria and Mali to try to “de-escalate the tension, foster dialogue and use regional and continental mechanisms to settle differences.”

On April 1st, Algeria claimed to have downed a drone over Tin Zaouatine, a border stronghold for the Tuareg separatist group who reside in the north of Mali and Niger and the south of Algeria.

The Malian army confirmed that a drone had been shot down however refused to initially confirm that Algeria was responsible.

The dispute origniated over the location in which the drone was shot down, with Mali claiming it was within their airspace and Algeria claiming it was in theirs.

The vastness of the Sahara desert in which the Tuareg separatists live means that national borders are not always respected.

The dispute led to Algeria initially banning Malian aircraft from their airspace on April 8th, as well as banning all domestic arrivals and departures from the country.

The move prompted Mali, along with its allies Niger and Burkino Faso, to withdraw their ambassadors from Algeria, leading to fears of tensions spreading across the region.

A day later Mali closed their airspace to Algerian aircraft.

Mali has also pulled out of the Sahel region’s joint military staff committee, an organisation originally formed in order to tackle Al-Qaeda’s north African affiliate group AQIM.

Relations between Algeria and Mali have worsened following coups from Mali’s military junta in 2020 and 2021, a political group that was once mediated in negotiations by Algeria.

Protests against Algeria have occurred outside their embassy in the Malian capital of Bamako as accusations of their support for the Tuareg separatists leads to their unpopularity in the country.

The New Arab, Maghrebi