Algeria has suspended all flights to and from neighboring Mali in response to what it described as repeated violations of its airspace, state television announced on Sunday. The move signals escalating tensions between the two Sahel-region nations and raises concerns about regional stability and cooperation. The Algerian government cited multiple unauthorized incursions by Malian aircraft into Algerian airspace as the primary reason for the suspension. While officials did not provide specifics on the nature or timing of the incidents, they emphasized the decision was necessary to “protect national sovereignty and ensure the security of its airspace.”
The ban, which took immediate effect, affects both commercial and military flights, cutting off a vital air link between the two countries. Algeria and Mali share a more than 1,300-kilometer-long border and have historically collaborated on regional security and trade, particularly in combating terrorism in the Sahel. Mali’s transitional government, led by military officers who took power in a 2021 coup, has not yet issued an official response to Algeria’s move. The country remains mired in conflict, with insurgent activity from al-Qaeda and ISIS-linked groups spreading across central and northern regions. Tensions between Mali and its neighbors have grown since Bamako expelled French troops and turned to Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group for military support.
The airspace dispute adds to an already fragile regional context. Analysts warn that the suspension could disrupt humanitarian aid deliveries, cross-border trade, and coordination efforts against transnational armed groups. Algeria has positioned itself as a key mediator in West African diplomacy and was instrumental in brokering the 2015 Algiers Peace Agreement between the Malian government and northern separatist groups. However, relations have cooled in recent years as Mali’s junta has distanced itself from international partners and multilateral frameworks.
The United Nations, African Union, and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have not yet commented on the latest developments, though regional observers suggest the situation could have broader implications for air traffic and diplomatic relations in West Africa.
