Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga is due to travel to Algeria for high-level talks as the two countries work to repair relations after more than a year of diplomatic tensions, Mali’s Prime Minister’s Office said Saturday.
Maïga is expected to meet Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and hold talks with Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, who invited him during a phone call on August 9. The visit was initiated by Algiers as part of efforts to restore direct political engagement with Bamako.
Relations between Mali and Algeria deteriorated sharply over the past 15 months, with disagreements centred on sovereignty, non-interference and security in the Sahel. Both sides are now signalling an interest in rebuilding confidence and restarting bilateral cooperation.
The visit follows a July 10 agreement between Presidents Assimi Goïta and Abdelmadjid Tebboune aimed at normalising relations. The deal included plans for the return of ambassadors and the reopening of airspace between the two countries to civilian and military traffic.
Regional security and economic cooperation are expected to feature prominently in the discussions. Although no specific agreements have been announced ahead of the visit, the talks could provide a key test of whether the recent diplomatic thaw can develop into a more stable and sustained partnership.
