The Government of Algeria has recalled its ambassadors to Mali and Niger for consultations and postponed the inauguration of its new ambassador to Burkina Faso, following a growing diplomatic dispute with the three Sahel countries.
In a strongly worded statement issued by Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the North African country condemned what it described as “false allegations” by the Malian authorities concerning the alleged use of Algerian drones over Malian territory.
The Algerian government stated that the accusations were an attempt by Mali’s military-led government to divert attention from what it termed the “obvious failure of a putschist project,” which it said had plunged the country into a cycle of insecurity, instability, and socio-economic decline.
The statement described the current leadership in Mali, along with its counterparts in Niger and Burkina Faso, as an “unconstitutional club” whose actions have undermined regional stability. “The only successes of this clique lie in the pursuit of personal ambitions at the expense of the Malian people, in the preservation of their own survival while compromising national protection, and in the misappropriation of the country’s rich resources,” the statement read.
Algeria also expressed disappointment over what it termed the “inconsiderate alignment” of Niger and Burkina Faso with Mali’s position on the issue. “In line with the principle of reciprocity, Algeria has decided to recall its ambassadors in Mali and Niger for consultations and to postpone the inauguration of its new ambassador to Burkina Faso,” the statement concluded.
The diplomatic row is the latest in a series of strained relations between Algeria and members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, all of which are governed by military regimes. Regional observers say the development could impact cooperation on cross-border security and counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel region.
