Mali drone dispute with Algeria referred to ICJ

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said on Friday that Mali’s application to launch proceedings against Algeria over the downing of a Malian military drone can only move forward if Algeria consents to the court’s jurisdiction.

The case stems from an incident between March 31 and April 1,when Mali accused Algeria of deliberately shooting down a surveillance drone near Tinzaouaten,a remote area along their shared desert border in Mali’s Kidal region.

Mali claims the drone was conducting operations against terrorist groups and that its destruction constituted an act of aggression in violation of international law.

In its submission to the ICJ- the United Nations’ highest judicial body – Mali argued that Algeria’s actions were intended to hinder its military operations and destabilize the region. The incident has further strained relations between the two countries,already tense over regional security and border issues.

Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf has formally denied that Mali filed a case with the ICJ.

Attaf said in a televised statement that “no official notification has been received” and dismissed the claim as “unfounded.” The case exposes once more Algeria’s lies and disinformation campaigns espoused at the highest government level.

The ICJ confirmed that Algeria has not granted automatic jurisdiction to the court for disputes involving other UN member states. As a result,the court has forwarded Mali’s application to the Algerian government and will take no further action unless Algeria agrees to participate.

“No action will be taken in the proceedings unless and until Algeria consents to the court’s jurisdiction in the case,” the ICJ said in a press release.