Relations between Algeria and Niger recorded a new step of calm with the return of the Algerian ambassador to Niamey and the resumption of the work of the Nigerien ambassador in Algeria, at a time when disputes with Mali continue. Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso had withdrawn their ambassadors from Algeria, and the latter responded in kind by withdrawing its ambassadors. This came after Algeria shot down a Malian army drone in April last year, which it said had violated its airspace.

Published on: 02/13/2026 - 02:38 Last updated: 02/13/2026 - 07:15

Algeria has returned its ambassador to Niger, in a sign of improved relations between the two countries after a rupture that lasted about a year following the downing of a financial drone.

The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained in a statement on Thursday that its envoy would return immediately to Niamey, while the Nigerian ambassador had already resumed his duties in Algeria.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso also withdrew their ambassadors from Algeria after the latter shot down a drone belonging to the Malian army in April of last year, and Algeria responded in kind by withdrawing its ambassadors from those countries.

Read also: Algeria adopts “reciprocity” by recalling its ambassadors to Mali and Niger and postpones sending its ambassador to Burkina Faso

Relations between Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have developed in recent years to a closer level, and ended with the formation of a confederation, the “Coalition of Sahel States,” in 2023.

In its account of the incident, Bamako reported that the drone was shot down inside its territory near the Algerian border, while Algeria confirmed that the plane violated its airspace.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry said in its statement that the return of the two ambassadors to Niamey and Algeria represents “an incentive to revive bilateral political consultation at the highest levels and resume cooperation.”

However, tension between Algeria and Mali remains, as each other's airspace remains closed to the other country's aircraft.

France 24/AFP

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