Algerian–Malian relations refer to the relationship between Algeria and Mali. Algeria maintains an embassy in Bamako and a consulate in Gao, while Mali has an embassy in Algiers. The relationship between two countries, once former colonies of France, both share the Sahel desert as border, and also having a very long border, has made the relationship become a major obstacle for both two neighboring states. As two majority Sunni Muslim countries, recent instability in Mali, notably the Azawad of the Tuareg people has poured a large presence of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and it has pushes Algeria into a difficult situation. To retaliate, Algeria fortified their border and deployed more troops to secure the border with Mali. The fear of growing militants from Mali brings Algeria and the U