But the bloc now faces its most severe crisis yet: the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—three Sahel states ruled by military juntas—which announced their withdrawal in January 2025. This ...

The withdrawal of French forces, the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and the influx of Russian and Turkish influence have all scrambled ...

Alliance of Sahel States countries, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, said on Sunday they have recalled their respective ambassadors from Algeria. The three countries in the military alliance ...

Mali denies the drone crossed the border, and the three-country bloc — the Alliance of Sahel States or AES — called the downing an “irresponsible act” that violated international law.

The Algerian government said it had taken note, «with great dismay», of the statements made by Mali’s transitional government and the Council of Heads of State of the Sahel Union. Algeria ...

which came shortly after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger recalled their ambassadors to Algiers in response to the downing of the Malian drone. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation of ...

A number of Algeria's southern neighbours have withdrawn their ambassadors from Algiers after the North African country was accused of shooting down a Malian drone over Malian territory.

From left, Niger Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare, Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore ...

The airspace closures followed a day later. Mali's ruling junta also pulled out of the Sahel region's joint military staff committee, known by its French acronym CEMOC. Niger, Burkina Faso and ...