Prime Minister Gharib Visits Bamako for Bilateral Engagement

Algerian Prime Minister Seifi Gharib arrived in Bamako, Mali, on Monday for a visit aimed at normalizing bilateral relations. Described as a "friendship visit" by the Prime Minister's Office, this diplomatic engagement seeks to re-establish ties after a nearly three-year period of strained relations between the two countries. Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Gharib was welcomed by his Malian counterpart, Abdoulaye Maïga, alongside several Malian officials and the Secretary-General of the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lounès Magramane.

Mandated by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Prime Minister Gharib commenced discussions with Prime Minister Maïga in a one-on-one meeting before expanding to include delegations from both nations. The Prime Minister's Office reported that these talks focused on reviewing the historical and fraternal bonds between Algeria and Mali. The discussions emphasized the necessity of intensifying efforts to realize the shared political will of Presidents Tebboune and Assimi Goïta, with the objective of solidifying cooperation, fostering good neighborliness, ensuring regional security and stability, and elevating bilateral relations to broader horizons.

This visit follows a period of tension that began in early 2024, when Malian authorities announced the termination of the 2015 Algiers Peace Agreement, originally signed between the central government and Azawad (Tuareg) movements. Mali had cited "hostile actions" by Algeria as a reason for its decision. Throughout this period, Algeria consistently reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peaceful political solutions to the regional crisis, underscoring its dedication to stability in the Sahel.