Tensions rose over the weekend as Mali accused neighboring Algeria of deliberately downing one of its military drones near their shared border, prompting a coordinated diplomatic response from a trio of Sahel nations.
In a televised statement on Sunday, Mali’s security minister said the country had gathered “conclusive evidence” that the drone was intentionally shot down by Algerian forces during an overnight operation between March 31 and April 1. Debris from the aircraft was reportedly recovered around 9.5 kilometres inside Malian territory.
Describing the incident as a “premeditated hostile act,” the Malian government denounced what it called a violation of its sovereignty. The move triggered immediate support from Burkina Faso and Niger, who announced—alongside Mali—that they would recall their ambassadors from Algiers for consultations.
In a joint communiqué, the three countries condemned what they described as an “irresponsible act” by Algeria, affirming their collective stance on defending sovereignty and territorial integrity across the Sahel.
Algeria’s Defence Ministry, in a statement issued on April 1, confirmed its military had intercepted an “armed surveillance drone” that allegedly breached Algerian airspace near Tinzaouaten, a border community. The ministry did not specify the drone’s origin or offer further clarification.
Mali’s armed forces had previously reported the loss of an unmanned aerial vehicle during what they described as a routine surveillance mission, though they made no allegations at the time.
The diplomatic fallout adds fresh strain to already fragile regional relations. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—now operating as a joint alliance outside ECOWAS—have tightened security and political cooperation through a mutual defense pact following successive military takeovers.
As of Monday, Algerian authorities had not formally responded to the renewed accusations. However, the drone incident reflects deepening fault lines in a region grappling with instability and shifting power dynamics.