Algeria hosts Sahel forum despite tensions with neighbours

Algeria convened a defence forum on the Sahel in Algiers on Sunday, aiming to reaffirm its role as a regional powerbroker despite strained relations with neighbouring Sahel states, The New Arab reports. Defence Minister General Said Chengriha emphasized Algeria’s support for sovereignty, dialogue, and counterterrorism cooperation.

Analysts viewed the event as an attempt to signal continued regional relevance amid diplomatic isolation. Algeria’s ties with Mali and Niger have deteriorated, particularly after the downing of a Malian drone and the countries' withdrawals from joint security initiatives.

No Sahel governments officially engaged with the forum, highlighting the rift as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso deepen cooperation under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), backed by non-Western powers like Russia and Turkey.

Algeria continues to push for dialogue and implementation of the 2015 Malian peace accord, while warning that fractured cooperation could worsen instability and irregular migration across the region.