Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga's truths about the rapprochement between Algeria and Mali

After 15 months of diplomatic tension, Algeria and Mali are once again bridging the gap. On July 10th, Algiers and Bamako unanimously decided to reopen their respective airspaces to all civilian and military aircraft operating flights to and from Algiers and Bamako. Their respective ambassadors have also returned to their posts.

"There has never been a break in diplomatic relations" between Algeria and Mali

As he concluded last weekend the meetings dedicated to reviewing the five years of the Transition, the Malian Prime Minister, Major General Abdoulaye Maiga, spoke about this warming of relations between Mali and Algeria.

According to him, the two countries certainly had "differences on some issues" a few months ago, but they did not break off diplomatic relations.

Algeria and Mali maintain "historical ties and share a border of more than 1300 km", the authority emphasizes, welcoming today "the total convergence of views between Malian President Assimi Goita (and his Algerian counterpart) Abdelmadjid Tebboune on key principles, including respect for the sovereignty of States and non-interference in internal affairs".

"A diplomat's role is to defend the interests of his country, without qualms."

Referring to the frictions that have occurred between the two countries, the head of the Malian government recalled that "diplomacy is not a smooth and easy process and that the role of a diplomat is to defend the interests of his country, without qualms."

"In this mission there are sometimes verbal sparring matches, but there are also sometimes fraternal meetings tinged with courtesy around copious dinners," the authority suggested, not without assuring that there have never been any "personal disagreements" between the authorities of the two countries.