The Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—has jointly recalled their ambassadors from Algeria following an escalating diplomatic dispute sparked by the downing of a Malian military drone. In a statement released Sunday, the AES accused Algeria of shooting down a Malian armed surveillance drone near the shared border with Mali roughly a week ago. The bloc, formed in 2023 by the three military-led governments, described the act as “irresponsible” and a violation of international law.
According to Malian authorities, the drone wreckage was recovered approximately 10 kilometers south of the Algeria-Mali border, within Malian territory. Algeria, however, claims the aircraft entered its airspace by more than 2 kilometers before it was intercepted. The incident has further strained already fragile relations between Bamako and Algiers. Mali has since withdrawn from a regional military coordination group that includes Niger and announced plans to lodge a formal complaint with international organizations regarding the drone’s destruction.
Tensions between Algeria and the Sahel nations have been mounting over several issues, including Bamako’s recent military actions in northern Mali and its growing reliance on Russian security support, including the use of mercenaries and combat drones. Algeria, which historically acted as a mediator in Mali’s long-standing conflict with Tuareg separatists, has expressed concern over the Malian junta’s aggressive tactics in volatile northern regions. Algiers is particularly alarmed by operations near the border town of Tin Zaouatine, where the drone was reportedly brought down.
The diplomatic rift highlights a broader geopolitical shift in the region. The AES was created after Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger withdrew from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, following a series of military coups that isolated them from traditional partners. All three countries have severed defense ties with France, their former colonial ruler, and have pivoted toward alternative allies—most notably Russia—for military and economic support.
Analysts say the AES’s move to recall ambassadors and file international complaints signals a growing attempt by the alliance to assert sovereignty, consolidate their political legitimacy, and resist foreign criticism amid worsening regional insecurity.
