Demonstrators gathered outside the Algerian Embassy in Bamako on Tuesday, voicing outrage over the destruction of a Malian reconnaissance drone by the Algerian military. The protest, led by civil society organizations, youth groups, and patriotic movements, underscores growing tensions between the two countries.
Protesters waved banners with messages such as “Respect our sovereignty,” “Hands off Mali’s integrity,” and “Algeria must apologize.” Speakers at the event accused Algeria of provocation and called for vigilance, dialogue, and national unity in defending Mali’s territorial rights.
The diplomatic rift stems from an incident that occurred between March 31 and April 1, 2025, when a Malian Bayraktar drone was shot down near the border. Algeria claims the aircraft breached its airspace by two kilometers before being neutralized in Tin Zaouatine, a border area in the Tamanrasset region. Mali, however, insists the drone was on a legitimate surveillance mission within its own territory and did not cross into Algerian airspace.
In response to the drone’s destruction, Mali recalled its ambassador to Algiers. The move was backed by Burkina Faso and Niger, its partners in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Algeria retaliated by recalling its envoys from Bamako and Niamey and closing its airspace to Malian military and civilian aircraft—prompting a reciprocal response from Mali.
© WAVN
