Algeria concerned about Russia and Turkey’s Mali strategy
Russia and Turkey’s Mali strategy has strained their relationship with “strategic” ally, Algeria, according to The Arab Weekly and agencies.
On 6th February, Algerian president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune publicly condemned Russia and Turkey’s military presence in Mali and requested that they remove their “mercenaries” from Libya.
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With fears that Russia and Turkey’s military presence threatens Libya’s security and stability, President Tebboune ordered Algerian Prime Minister, Nadhir Arbaoui to deliver a speech on his behalf for the African Union’s High-Level Committee at the Brazzaville Summit on 5th February.
The speech detailed that all “external parties concerned with the Libyan issue should respect Libya’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the independence of its decisions,” and hoped to demonstrate that Algeria desired to “strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, solidarity and cooperation,” with Libya.
However, Mali accused and criticised Algeria for interference in internal affairs and for the country’s “hostile” activities.
Since Mali scrapped the “Algiers Accord” in January, relations between Mali and Algeria have deteriorated rapidly due to conflict on the shared border. The fighting between Northern Mali-separatists and the Malian army has been heavily supported by the Wagner group, a Russian private military company.
Algeria has sought to “review” its ties with Turkey and Russia in a bid to build and gain trust with the West. Algerian media recently reported that President Tebboune has been preparing a trip to France.
Algeria proves to remain unpopular with Morocco due to numerous conflicts and fault findings, such as Algeria blaming Moroccan administrations for the wildfires that devastated several Algerian provinces.
In attempt to recover the drifting relations with Tunisia, Algeria’s foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf visited Tunis to deliver written messages from President Tebboune. Mr Attaf also delivered messages from President Tebboune to Libyan capital Tripoli.
AW/AFP
