A Malian drone has been shot down in the city of Tinzaouaten. According to the U.S. News, Mali accused Algeria of “shooting down” one of their surveillance drones between March 31 and April 1, 2025. The wreckage was found 9.5 km south of Algeria’s border. Algeria’s Defense Ministry responded that their army had, “shot down an armed surveillance drone that violated North Africa’s airspace near Tinzaouaten.” Tinzaouaten is a city that straddles the border of both countries, but it is officially in the country of Mali. It is under the rule of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad — a militant separatist movement against the government of Mali consisting mainly of the Tuareg ethnic group.

According to AP News, Mali’s army stated that one of their drones had crashed into the area of Tinzaouaten, but it did not confirm if the surveillance drone was the drone that crashed. As stated by the U.S. News, the Mali government concluded that a “Malian Armed Forces drone was destroyed in a premeditated hostile action by the Algerian regime.” In response, the Sahel Alliance —Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — withdrew their ambassadors from Algeria. According to ABC News, Malian Prime Minister, General Abdoulaye Maiga, stated on the Malian Foreign Ministry’s social media, that the Malian Army drone had not violated Algerian airspace. He claimed, “this action proves, if proof were needed, that the Algerian regime sponsors international terrorism.”

Diplomatic peace talks between the Tuareg separatists and the Mali government are bound to stop, as Mali distances itslef from Algeria. The 2024 peace talks, where Mali ended the 2015 peace agreement overseen by Algeria, put forth a military-first approach. Without Algeria, Mali’s accountability may lessen — especially regarding the treatment of Tuareg citizens. The Minority Rights Group states there have already been mass migrations and a lack of economic opportunity. This repression is likely to increase. We are also likely to see more military force from all sides because of the lack of diplomacy.

The Algeria-Mali border spans almost 1,400 km, along Algeria’s southern border, and Mali’s northern border. The border was established in the 1980s and spans throughout the Sahara Desert, a vast region that is difficult to inhabit, making it an ideal area for regional terrorist organizations. Terrorist threats greatly concern both governments. Mali has fought Tuareg separatists since the armed conflict began in early 2012. The Mali government accuses Algeria of sheltering Tuareg militants. There are also historical tensions between the Tuaregs and black Malians, as the Tuaregs were a part of the slave trade that mainly sold individuals from West Africa — including Mali. Algeria has been overseeing talks between the Mali government and the Tuareg separatists. The tensions presenting themselves today began decades ago. However, with the Sahel alliance growing more distant from the rest of the African nations, especially powerhouse Algeria, there are bound to be diplomatic consequences.

The drone conflict between Algeria and Mali is a part of much bigger issues. Tuareg and Mali tensions are rising. Instead of continuing to discuss their future relationship, now the government and non-government entities are putting forward a military-first strategy. There are new, unprecedented alliances. Regional changes are occurring in North and West Africa.