Mali and Algeria resume high-level cooperation in Bamako

Mali and Algeria are resuming high-level diplomatic and technical cooperation through the 13th session of the Grande Commission mixte, held in Bamako on September 9 and 10, 2026. This meeting marks a significant step in normalizing relations between the two neighbors following a period of diplomatic tension that had left the cooperation framework inactive since 2016.

The thaw in relations follows a working visit to Algiers on August 24, 2026, by Malian Prime Minister, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga. This visit helped address disagreements stemming from Mali's repudiation of the 2015 peace agreement and a border incident in early 2025 involving a Malian drone.

The commission, which dates back to 1973, serves as an institutional mechanism to manage bilateral agreements in critical sectors, including energy, trans-Saharan transport, professional training, trade, and security intelligence. The renewed dialogue aims to address shared challenges regarding cross-border security and economic development along their 1,300-kilometer border.