Algeria and Mali have restored diplomatic relations and reopened their airspace after a 15-month confrontation, bringing two of Russia’s important African security partners back into cooperation as Moscow expands its influence across the Sahel.
Algeria reopened its airspace to civilian and military aircraft travelling to and from Mali on July 10, 2026, while Bamako introduced reciprocal measures and both governments agreed to return their ambassadors, ending a 15-month diplomatic confrontation between the neighbouring countries.
The restrictions followed Algeria’s destruction of a Turkish-made Malian reconnaissance drone near their shared border on March 31, 2025.
Algiers said the aircraft had violated its territory, but Bamako maintained that the wreckage was found inside Mali and described the incident as an act of aggression.
Consequently, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger recalled their ambassadors from Algeria, while Algiers closed its airspace to Malian traffic and withdrew its diplomatic representatives.
