Relations between Algeria and Mali have reached the "point of no return." Based on the remarks made by Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga, Minister of State and Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, at the United Nations, the once cordial relationship is now a distant memory.
"In addition to offering shelter and surely delicious dishes of 'chakchouka' and 'chorba' to terrorists (...), its role as a misguided messenger hardly promotes good neighborly relations." In New York, during the 79th ordinary session of the UN General Assembly, the Malian government spokesperson sharply criticized Algeria. The official accused Algeria not only of harboring terrorists but also of engaging in significant interference in Mali’s internal affairs. Algeria, once a key player in the now obsolete 2015 "Algiers Agreement" aimed at pacifying Mali's northern rebel groups, is now being blamed for its involvement. The agreement was initially designed to disarm Tuareg and jihadist armed groups in northern Mali.
Never before have relations between the two countries been in such a dire situation.
The Root of the Crisis
The Tuareg issue lies at the heart of this "unprecedented" dispute. For over a year, tensions have worsened, and both countries recalled their ambassadors. At the time, there were already suspicions of Algerian interference in Mali's internal affairs.
In his New Year’s speech, Mali's transitional president, Assimi Goïta, declared a "national appropriation" of the peace and reconciliation agreement in Mali. This meant that dialogue with the Tuareg separatists would be direct and intra-Malian, signaling Bamako’s growing distrust of Algiers. Since then, tensions have escalated.
This situation is particularly alarming for the Algerian regime. Following numerous attacks on Russian soldiers in northern Mali, Algiers has also drawn the ire of the Kremlin, which actively supports Mali's transitional authorities. This is further proof that Algeria has become increasingly isolated over time. Once the self-proclaimed regional mediator on the sensitive Malian issue, Algeria has now been sidelined.
"Unlike the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement from the Algiers process, where some signatory groups openly turned to terrorism, and which had become a pretext for some states to interfere in Mali’s internal affairs, the Inter-Malian Dialogue allowed Malians to 'settle their disputes internally' without any outside interference," Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga proclaimed at the UN. He concluded by saying: "After the end of the Algiers Agreement on January 25, 2024, today, the Inter-Malian Dialogue and its recommendations officially presented to the Head of State on May 13, 2024, remain the only framework for resolving internal conflicts."
Game Over.
