Mali’s transitional government announced Thursday that it has filed a lawsuit against Algeria at the International Court of Justice, following the destruction of a Malian military reconnaissance drone earlier this year.
The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, in a statement signed by General Abdoulaye Maïga, said the action comes after repeated requests to Algerian authorities for evidence that the drone, registered as TZ-98D, violated Algerian airspace. No response was received.
According to the Malian government, the drone was deliberately destroyed by Algerian forces between March 31 and April 1, 2025, in the Tinzaouatine area of Kidal region. The government described the act as a “clear violation of the principle of non-use of force” under international law, including the UN Charter and the African Union’s treaties on non-aggression and collective defense.
Mali’s statement also accused Algeria of complicity with armed extremist groups operating in the Sahel, alleging that the attack aimed to disrupt counterterrorism operations by Malian forces.
The filing at the ICJ reiterates Mali’s call for countries sponsoring or supporting terrorism in the Sahel to act in good faith to promote regional stability, which the statement described as essential for collective security and sustainable development.
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