The Mali Republic abruptly terminated its peace deal, known as the “Algiers Accords” signed by Algeria and Tuareg rebels in 2015 in Algiers, Algeria, due to other signatories not having kept their commitments as well as hostility by the deal’s chief broker, Algeria, the Malian Territorial Administration Ministry stated in a release on Thursday.
“The Transitional Government notes with deep concern the increasing number of unfriendly acts, hostile acts and interference in Mali’s internal affairs by the authorities of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria,” the release stated.
The Ministry detailed its position rejecting Algeria’s unilateral imposition of a transition period on the Malian authorities. It decried Algeria opening its doors to Malian citizens prosecuted by the Malian justice system for acts of terrorism and the presence on Algerian territory of “certain” wanted individuals who had signed the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.
The Sahelian country complained that Algerian authorities consider Mali Algeria’s “backyard” or “doormat,” against a backdrop of contempt and condescension.
The Malian Transition Government called for an immediate cease in Algerian hostility toward Mali.
Last month, Mali summoned Algeria’s ambassador to answer for “interference” and “unfriendly acts” in connection with reports that the envoy had negotiated with Tuareg insurgents without informing Bamako.
The Algiers Accord began to disintegrate in August as combat between separatists and government soldiers worsened amid the gradual dismantling of a 10-year UN peacekeeping deployment in the nation.
Mali’s military government, which took power in 2020, asked the UN mission to leave in June, despite repeated attacks by armed groups in the Sahel area.
Since the coup, Mali’s military authorities have broken ties with former colonial power France, preferring tighter ties with Russia and the Wagner Group.
Mali has been plagued by violence since 2012 when Islamist armed groups seized on a Tuareg revolt motivated by claims of government neglect and calls for more autonomy.