Algeria and Mali clash over security strategy amid diplomatic strains
Tensions have intensified between Algeria and Mali, with diplomatic strains emerging over divergent approaches to addressing the ongoing conflict in northern Mali. The disagreement stems from comments made by Algeria’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, which Mali has perceived as interference in its internal affairs.
Algeria’s call for dialogue
At the centre of the dispute are Mali’s plans to reclassify certain northern separatist groups—many of whom are signatories to the 2015 Algiers Agreement—as terrorist organisations. Foreign Minister Attaf publicly criticised this decision, warning that it risks undermining fragile peace efforts in the region.
Speaking in Algiers, Attaf stressed that dialogue, rather than military force, is essential for resolving the conflict. He argued that separatist groups involved in the Algiers Agreement should remain pivotal in ongoing peace negotiations. “A military solution is not the answer,” he stated, calling for renewed efforts to preserve the framework of the accord brokered under Algeria’s mediation.
Mali’s response
Mali’s government, however, has reacted strongly to Algeria’s remarks, labelling them as an intrusion into its sovereignty. Bamako insists that it has the right to redefine its approach to security in the restive north, where separatist movements and extremist groups have long challenged the state’s authority.
Officials in Mali have defended their decision to consider certain separatist factions as terrorist organisations, arguing that some of these groups have been linked to armed attacks on civilians and military personnel. They assert that such measures are necessary to restore stability and protect the country’s territorial integrity.
A history of divergence
The latest dispute highlights the longstanding differences in security strategies between the two neighbouring nations. Algeria has historically positioned itself as a mediator in Mali’s internal conflicts, particularly during the negotiations that led to the 2015 Algiers Agreement. That accord sought to bring together the Malian government and northern separatist groups, including the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), to end years of unrest.
However, Mali’s transitional government, led by the military junta that seized power in 2020, has increasingly pursued a hardline approach. This shift has included strengthening ties with non-traditional allies such as Russia and adopting a more militarised response to insurgencies in the north.
Algeria, meanwhile, continues to advocate for a political solution, warning that a solely military approach could escalate violence and further destabilise the Sahel region.
Diplomatic fallout
The rift has further strained relations between Algiers and Bamako, which have already been complicated by regional security challenges and shifting alliances. Mali’s growing reliance on the Russian Wagner Group for military support has unsettled Algeria, which prefers a more multilateral approach involving African and international actors.
The two countries also face broader regional pressures, including the spillover of extremist violence from Mali into neighbouring states. Algeria, which shares a 1,400km border with Mali, has expressed concern about the potential for increased instability to threaten its own security.
Implications for regional stability
The dispute between Algeria and Mali comes at a critical juncture for the Sahel region, where extremist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State have expanded their operations. The disagreement over security strategies risks weakening coordination among regional actors, further complicating efforts to address the crisis.
Observers warn that the deterioration of relations between Algeria and Mali could undermine the implementation of the Algiers Agreement, which remains one of the few frameworks for peace in northern Mali. With trust between the two nations eroding, the prospect of renewed dialogue between the Malian government and separatist groups appears increasingly remote.
Calls for mediation
International actors, including the African Union and the United Nations, have urged Algeria and Mali to de-escalate tensions and prioritise regional cooperation. Analysts suggest that a compromise could involve revisiting the terms of the Algiers Agreement to reflect Mali’s evolving security concerns while preserving its core principles of inclusivity and dialogue.
As the situation develops, the stakes remain high not only for Algeria and Mali but for the broader Sahel region, where the need for unified action against extremist threats has never been more urgent.
