Ahmad 
Mali has recalled its ambassador to Algeria amid rising tensions between the two countries over separatist rebels in northern Mali.
Mali’s military junta said it had summoned Ambassador Mahamani Amadou Maiga from Algeria “for consultations with immediate effect”, according to a letter from the Malian embassy to the Algerian foreign ministry.
Mali recently summoned its top Algerian diplomat “to express its strong protest against the recent unfriendly actions of the Algerian authorities under the guise of the Mali peace process”.
“These actions constitute interference in Mali’s internal affairs,” the Malian Information and Press Office said, urging Algeria to “prioritise dialogue with the Malian authorities”.
In response, Algeria summoned Mali’s top diplomat and urged “Mali to join Algeria’s current efforts to give the agreement a new impetus”, the Algerian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Algeria has been the main mediator in peace efforts between Mali and local Tuareg rebels, whose separatist campaign in the north of the country has led to violent conflict for more than a decade.
Algeria was instrumental in striking a 2015 peace deal between Mali’s government and rebels, which collapsed after both sides accused each other of failing to abide by it.