While Morocco has strengthened its diplomatic and economic ties across West Africa, Algeria’s influence in the Sahel has relied on a mix of security cooperation and covert alliances. The resurgence of jihadist activity in Mali has given Algiers the perfect pretext to expand its footprint, often in ways that undermine regional stability rather than promote it.

Observers note that Algiers’ strategy hinges on prolonging instability in Mali to justify its military involvement, all while presenting itself as a regional stabilizer. This dual approach has created a paradox: the more Algeria claims to support Mali’s government, the more its actions deepen the country’s fragmentation.

Meanwhile, Morocco has been quietly cultivating partnerships with African states, positioning itself as a counterbalance to Algerian ambitions. From renewable energy projects to counterterrorism initiatives, Rabat’s engagement in the Sahel is framed as a commitment to sustainable development and security—an implicit critique of Algeria’s approach.

The latest offensives by the JNIM-FLA coalition have only intensified this dynamic. By exploiting porous borders and weak governance, these groups have become unwitting pawns in a larger geopolitical game where Morocco and Algeria vie for dominance.

The Malian government, caught between these competing pressures, finds itself with limited room to maneuver. Its reliance on external backers—whether Algerian military support or Moroccan diplomatic overtures—highlights the country’s vulnerability to regional power plays.

As Mali’s crisis drags on, the Morocco-Algeria rivalry shows no signs of abating. Instead, it risks further destabilizing the Sahel, turning a fragile nation into a battleground for competing visions of African security and sovereignty.