Protests in Paris and Bamako Highlight Tensions Between Algeria and Sahel Alliance Over Drone Incident

Paris, April 12, 2025 – Protesters from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, united under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), gathered in Paris today to denounce Algeria’s alleged interference in Malian affairs, specifically the downing of a Malian drone on March 31, 2025. The demonstration, which took place outside the Algerian embassy, follows similar protests in Bamako, Mali, earlier this week, reflecting a deepening diplomatic crisis between Algeria and the AES nations.

Background of the Conflict

The tensions stem from an incident on March 31, 2025, when Algeria shot down a Malian drone near the border town of Tin Zaouatine, claiming it had violated its airspace by 2 kilometers. Mali denied the accusation, asserting the drone wreckage was found 9.5 kilometers inside its territory, and labeled the act as “hostile” and a violation of international law. The AES, comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, condemned Algeria’s actions as “irresponsible,” accusing it of supporting terrorism by hindering anti-terror operations in the region.

Since the incident, diplomatic relations have deteriorated sharply. On April 6, 2025, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso recalled their ambassadors from Algiers, while Algeria reciprocated by withdrawing its ambassadors from Bamako and Niamey and postponing the appointment of a new envoy to Ouagadougou. Both Algeria and Mali have since closed their airspace to each other’s flights, further escalating the conflict.

Protests in Bamako and Paris

In Bamako, Mali’s capital, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Algerian embassy on April 8, 2025, to express outrage over Algeria’s actions. Demonstrators, waving Malian flags, accused Algeria of aggression and supporting terrorism, with one protester stating, “They destroyed the drone on our territory. Enough is enough! We’re here to show the world that we stand with our authorities” . The protests were a direct response to the drone incident and Algeria’s perceived interference in Mali’s security operations.

Today, April 12, 2025, similar sentiments were echoed in Paris, where protesters from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso rallied outside the Algerian embassy. According to posts on X, the demonstrators delivered a formal letter of protest, condemning Algeria’s actions and expressing solidarity with the AES’s stance against what they view as Algerian aggression. These protests highlight the growing regional discontent with Algeria’s role in the Sahel, particularly among the AES nations, which have accused Algeria of destabilizing the region.

Limited Evidence of Protests in Niger and Burkina Faso

While protests in Bamako and Paris have been well-documented, there is no clear evidence of widespread public demonstrations in Niger or Burkina Faso directly tied to this incident. However, the unified diplomatic measures taken by all three AES countries—recalling ambassadors, issuing joint condemnations, and supporting Mali’s withdrawal from the Joint Operational General Staff Committee (CEMOC)—indicate strong solidarity among the bloc. The absence of reported protests in Niger and Burkina Faso may reflect logistical or political differences, but their governments’ actions suggest a shared position against Algeria.

Regional Implications and Accusations

The drone incident has intensified long-standing tensions between Algeria and the AES nations, which have been strained since military coups in Mali (2020 and 2021), Niger (2023), and Burkina Faso (2022). These juntas have distanced themselves from traditional allies like France and ECOWAS, forming the AES in September 2023 to counter regional security threats, including jihadist groups linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda. Algeria, once a mediator in Mali’s conflicts with Tuareg rebels, has criticized the juntas’ reliance on Russian mercenaries and drones, fearing spillover effects across its border.

The AES has accused Algeria of enabling terrorism by downing the drone, which they claim was targeting a terrorist group planning attacks against their confederation. Mali has further alleged that Algeria’s actions are a deliberate attempt to mask its own failures, with the Malian Foreign Ministry stating that Algeria “sponsors international terrorism”. Algeria, in response, has dismissed these claims as baseless, accusing Mali’s junta of scapegoating Algiers for its domestic struggles.

Impact on Regional Stability

The escalating conflict threatens to exacerbate instability in the Sahel, a region already grappling with violent extremism and humanitarian crises. The AES countries, located in the Liptako-Gourma region, have faced years of attacks from armed groups, a situation worsened by the collapse of regional counterterrorism frameworks like ECOWAS and the withdrawal of international forces such as the UN’s MINUSMA mission. Analysts, including Rida Lyammouri from the Morocco-based Policy Center for the New South, have noted that while military escalation between Algeria and the AES is unlikely due to mutual restraint, the diplomatic fallout could further isolate Algeria and hinder regional cooperation against terrorism.

Conclusion

The protests in Bamako and Paris underscore the deepening rift between Algeria and the AES nations, driven by the drone incident and broader geopolitical shifts in the Sahel. While Mali has seen clear public demonstrations, the lack of reported protests in Niger and Burkina Faso does not diminish their governments’ alignment with Mali’s position. The mutual accusations of airspace violations and terrorism sponsorship have heightened regional tensions, posing risks to stability in an already volatile area. As the situation evolves, the international community will likely watch closely for further developments that could impact counterterrorism efforts and diplomatic relations in the Sahel.