Tensions between AES Countries And Algeria Escalate

Relations between Algeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which comprises Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, have further deteriorated following Algeria’s  shooting down of a Malian drone last week. 

On Sunday, the AES countries pulled their ambassadors from Algiers with Algeria following suit on Monday.

Later in the day, Algeria and Mali closed their airspace to each other and blocked any flights from operating between the two countries.

The diplomatic tensions began on March 31st when Algeria shot down a Malian drone they said crossed into Algerian airspace near the town of Tin Zaoutine, which Mali denies and claimed that the drone wreckage was found about 10 km south of the border inside of Mali. 

In a joint statement, the AES countries would state that shooting down the drone “Prevented the neutralization of a terrorist group that was planning terrorist acts against the AES”.

The row may also be a sign of shifting balance of power and alliances in the region. Algeria was once the chief mediator between the Malian Government and the Al-Qaeda backed rebels fighting them. 

However, with the newly formed alliance between the AES countries shifting the balance of power in West Africa, and with the bloc building strong relations with Russia, including with security assistance, the bloc may feel emboldened to stand up to Algeria, one of the largest militaries in Africa and a regional power in their own right.

Last week, the Foreign Ministers of the AES countries visited Moscow where they met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the first meeting under the "Russia-AES Format", further cementing their relations with Russia.