Description: The AES (Alliance of Sahel States) has recalled their ambassadors from Algeria following an incident on the border where Malian drone was shot down. Algerian foreign officials have blamed Mali for violating their airspace while Mali has denounced the drone’s entering of Algeria and stated the UAV was neutralizing members of terror cells pertaining to ISIS that planned attacks on AES. Mali and Algeria also reciprocally blocked air traffic in addition to the expulsion of the ambassadors. The sudden surge of tensions was projected to have been a result of Mali’s conformation within the AES and the resurgence of the Tuareg rebels on the Mali – Algerian border. AES was formed last year by Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, all led by military juntas and heavily supported from private Russian military contractors such as the Wagner Group.
Impact: Historically in productive bilateral relations, Algeria and Mali’s sudden tensions escalation could be attributed to the general conflicted situation on the African continent which has been plunged by wars for centuries. The Alliance of Sahel States represents a grave impediment to peace in the region, as the three countries are led by military juntas which have consolidated power through coup de états. AES also enjoys unequivocal Russian support which additionally stimulates the three countries to resort towards more aggressive methods in the so-called counter and anti – terrorism operations. The expulsion of foreign officials further exacerbates the situation in a sensitive security state of affairs, as Mali has faced Tuareg rebels for decades as well as constant threats from ISIS and Al – Qaeda offshoots in the region.