AES Countries Recall Envoys from Algeria  

(3 Minutes Read)

The Sahel alliance was formed last year after military leaders in the three countries quit the West African bloc, ECOWAS, to form their security partnership.

Alliance of Sahel States countries, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, said that they have recalled their respective ambassadors from Algeria.

The three countries in the military alliance, known by its French acronym AES, accused Algeria of downing a Malian armed forces surveillance drone about a week ago.

Amid escalating tensions between Bamako and Algiers, the group described the downing as an “irresponsible act” that violated international law.

Mali says the wreckage was located almost 10 kilometres south of their shared border, while Algeria says the armed drone had violated its airspace by over two kilometres. Bamako also withdrew from a regional military group that includes fellow AES member Niger, and said it will file a complaint with “international bodies” about the incident.

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The Sahel alliance was formed last year after military leaders in the three countries quit the West African bloc, ECOWAS, to form their security partnership