BAMAKO, Mali: Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb has arrived in Bamako for talks with Mali’s transitional President General Assimi Goïta and Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga as the two neighbouring countries work to improve relations after months of diplomatic tensions.
Ghrieb arrived at President Modibo Keita International Airport on 14 September at the head of a high level Algerian delegation. His visit was made at the invitation of Maïga, who received him at the airport.
“The prime minister of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Sifi Ghrieb, arrived at President Modibo Keita International Airport on 14 September, leading a high-level delegation,” the Malian government’s press office said.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the two governments to strengthen political dialogue and discuss areas of mutual interest.
Ghrieb also carried a message from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Goïta, according to the Malian government.
“During the visit, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb will deliver a message from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to the head of the transitional period <…> Assimi Goïta,” the government said.
During his meeting with Goïta, the Algerian prime minister discussed security challenges affecting the region and prospects for closer cooperation between the two countries.
“[The parties] exchanged views on regional security challenges. They reaffirmed the importance of a comprehensive and united approach, based on the capacity of the region’s states to work for the common good,” the Malian President’s Office said.
Ghrieb conveyed Tebboune’s desire to strengthen friendly and good neighbourly relations with Mali.
“Algeria and Mali reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their joint efforts aimed at achieving a higher level of co-operation,” the President’s Office said.
The talks also covered preparations for a planned visit by Goïta to Algeria following an invitation from Tebboune.
“Details of [Mali’s] President Goïta’s forthcoming visit to Algeria at Tebboune’s invitation are being discussed with the prime minister of Mali,” the President’s Office added.
Maïga also attended the meeting. The two prime ministers had previously discussed areas where Algeria and Mali could expand cooperation.
The latest diplomatic engagement follows a visit by Maïga to Algeria in August, during which he met Tebboune and called for continued efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
The two countries began taking steps towards restoring ties in July when they reopened their airspace to each other and agreed to resume diplomatic missions.
The measures followed a serious diplomatic dispute triggered by the downing of a Malian reconnaissance drone in a border area during the night of 31 March to 1 April 2025.
The incident led Algeria and Mali to close their airspace to each other. Algeria also recalled its ambassadors from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger after the three countries, which are members of the Alliance of Sahel States, announced the recall of their ambassadors from Algeria.
The dispute later took a legal dimension. In September 2025, Mali announced plans to bring a case against Algeria before the International Court of Justice over the downing of the Malian drone, identified by registration number TZ 98D, in the Tin Zaouatine area.
Algeria said it would not participate in proceedings if Mali proceeded with the case.
The recent reopening of airspace, restoration of diplomatic missions and high level visits have since created an avenue for renewed dialogue between Algiers and Bamako.
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