Algeria Moves Toward 'General Mobilization'—How Does This Escalate Tensions with Morocco and Mali?

Observers have been divided over Algeria’s decision to introduce a new law on general mobilization—some viewing it as a response to pressing national security concerns, others interpreting it as a veiled message to neighbouring countries.

On April 20, Algeria’s cabinet, chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, approved a draft law on general mobilization.

Grounded in Article 99 of the constitution, the legislation aims to lay out the framework for organizing, preparing, and implementing national mobilization, carrying with it both military and political implications.

Article 99 stipulates that “after consulting the High Security Council, the President of the Council of the Nation, and the President of the National People's Assembly, the President of the Republic may declare a general mobilization during a cabinet meeting.”

Parliamentary Proposal

On April 30, Justice Minister and Keeper of the Seals, Lotfi Boudjemaa, presented the draft law on general mobilization to the Legal, Administrative, and Freedoms Committee of the People’s National Assembly. 

The bill includes comprehensive provisions designed to strengthen the state’s capacity to address both security and defense challenges.

The minister further emphasized, according to Echorouk News, that the draft law consists of 69 articles divided across seven main sections. It encompasses all sectors, including civil society, rather than focusing solely on military institutions. 

This reflects a comprehensive approach that seeks to involve all state components in the mobilization efforts.

Boudjemaa explained that the legislation was crafted in response to Article 99 of the constitution, which mandates the organization of general mobilization. 

The bill aims to clarify the concept and objectives of mobilization, with the goal of establishing a cohesive legal framework capable of addressing current challenges.

The Justice Minister noted that the draft law is part of the state’s broader efforts to strengthen the nation’s defense capabilities, particularly in light of the direct threats to the country's stability. 

Boudjemaa emphasized that enhancing national readiness is no longer a choice but a necessity, given the volatile regional and international climate.

The proposed law includes stringent penalties, such as imprisonment and fines, particularly targeting individuals who misuse resources allocated for mobilization purposes or refuse to provide information requested by authorities.

The law also imposes penalties on individuals who disseminate information likely to disrupt the course of general mobilization or fail to report suspicious persons to the relevant authorities. 

Additionally, it prescribes prison sentences for those spreading false or misleading news that could cause disorder or threaten national security, particularly during military or mobilization operations.

Boudjemaa further affirmed that the law also proposes penalties for those who refuse to comply with call-up orders in the event of general mobilization, aiming to ensure that all citizens fulfill their national defense duties in exceptional circumstances.

Since gaining independence, Algeria has declared a state of general mobilization only twice: once during the Sand War of 1963, and again during the Black Decade.

International Changes

Commenting on the move, strategic planning and international relations expert Mohamed Cherif Droui noted that Algeria, like many Arab, African, and Mediterranean nations, faces a range of threats.

“The international landscape has become increasingly dynamic, though in opposing directions, leading to significant clashes between major powers, developing nations, and countries across the globe,” Droui stated in an interview with Al-Estiklal.

"The shifting dynamics between East and West, alongside military and security confrontations, and proxy wars—particularly in the Arab and African regions, where Algeria stands at the crossroads—are key factors that make it a target."

The Algerian expert also pointed to the ongoing U.S.-China trade clash and the emerging rapprochement between Russia and the United States, suggesting that these global shifts could have indirect repercussions for Algeria.

Droui highlighted another form of direct threats to Algeria, citing various changes along its borders and region, as well as the country’s strategic depth to the east, west, south, and now even to the north. This, he suggested, is happening amid what could be described as a "diplomatic demonization" and ongoing diplomatic crises with its former colonizer, France.

He also referred to what he called “the movement of several countries to undermine Algeria’s vital interests, strategic depth, and its direct territorial borders,” pointing to the incident involving a drone that Algeria shot down after it made a third attempt to breach Algerian airspace. The incident quickly escalated into a direct diplomatic crisis with Mali.

Droui further elaborated that "Israel has become a direct threat to the stability of the region, and to Algeria."

He concluded that these various threats collectively explain the resort to the enactment of the general mobilization law, preparing for all possible eventualities in a constantly evolving world and an ever-reacting region.

Call for Discussion

The opposition party "Union for Change" called on President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, through a letter published by its president, lawyer Zoubida Assoul, to discuss the decision within the framework of a "national meeting bringing together the authorities and all the active forces in the country."

In an open letter to President Tebboune, dated April 24, 2025, Assoul clarified that while the decision to implement general mobilization is an exceptional and rare measure, it remains, first and foremost, a political and sovereign decision before being a legal one. 

As such, she argued, it should be accompanied by a political initiative of equal stature.

"Since the decision to implement general mobilization affects not only security institutions, public facilities, and the country’s economic and social resources, but also every citizen both inside and outside the country, it necessitates the convening of a national meeting bringing together the authorities and all the active forces in the country—political parties, national figures, civil society, and representatives of our diaspora abroad—given that this issue concerns the fate of the nation and the future of entire generations."

"You had previously announced at the beginning of the year your intention to engage in dialogue with political parties. Now, the opportunity is ripe to conduct this dialogue in order to reassure the citizens and instill confidence among Algeria’s partners—both foreign and domestic governments, institutions, and investors," Assoul added, addressing the president. 

She urged the president not to miss the opportunity to convene a comprehensive national meeting under his leadership, to listen to his partners within the country, with the aim of defining common objectives to face the challenges of this century and instilling hope in the hearts of citizens for a better future.

A Different Perspective

Presenting an alternative perspective, Fathi Grass, the national coordinator of the Algerian Democratic and Social Movement, stated that "the general mobilization law is a direct response from the regime to the demands for freedom and democracy raised by the Algerians during the popular movement."

In a statement on al-Magharibia TV on April 30, 2025, Grass argued that "his country’s regime is clearly working to suppress the Algerian people and their calls for freedom and democracy..."

"All the regime's actions can be understood through one justification and reference point: preventing the repetition of the popular movement,"  Grass added.

He concluded by asserting that the ultimate goal is “to crush the dreams of the Algerian people for freedom and democracy.”

Political science and constitutional law professor Ismail Hamoudi argued that the Algerian general mobilization law is not necessarily synonymous with conscription or war.

In a post on Facebook on April 22, 2025, Hamoudi added that it is more likely part of a broader effort to strengthen the legislative framework, enabling decision-makers to prepare the state and society for all potential exceptional circumstances.

"Whether it concerns a war, or any other exceptional situation such as a pandemic, a natural disaster, or any internal or external threat... it is a step aimed at preparation and enhancing readiness for all possible eventualities," Hamoudi continued.

He added that a second reading of this move links it to the regional context, noting that Algeria appears to be surrounded by a number of escalating security and political pressures, with the situation open to all possibilities—particularly following the heightened tensions along its southern border with Mali.

"The third interpretation is tied to the expectations of Algeria’s leadership. One could argue that the draft general mobilization law reflects a sense of unease among decision-makers, a concern recently expressed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in a television interview, when he referred to a hostile plot aimed at encircling Algeria from the east and south."

"This negative sense of anxiety regarding developments in the regional environment is pushing Algerian decision-makers to adopt precautionary and preemptive political measures, possibly aimed at enhancing overall readiness, and perhaps even preparing for negotiations, as well as confrontation," he noted.

Numerous Constraints

Algeria faces political and diplomatic challenges on all its borders. There is an unprecedented diplomatic crisis with France to the north, political tension with Mali to the south, severed relations with Morocco to the west, and security threats along its southeastern border with Libya.

For years, Algerian officials have reiterated that the country is surrounded by a "belt of threats" and is "targeted by enemies" due to its "positions and sovereign decisions."

This sentiment was echoed by el Djeïch, the magazine published by Algeria's Ministry of National Defence, in its January 2025 editorial, which stated, "The situation is crystal clear, requiring neither prolonged thought nor deep analysis to recognize the malicious intentions of Algeria’s enemies."

Algeria severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021, accusing its western neighbour of orchestrating "hostile actions" against it following a series of devastating forest fires across several regions of the country. 

The Algerian authorities described the fires as criminal acts, allegedly supported from abroad—an accusation that was firmly denied by Rabat.

Tensions between the two countries have further escalated amid the resumption of diplomatic ties between Morocco and "Israel," with the latter becoming Morocco’s third-largest arms supplier after the United States and France.

Rabat denies that its growing military relationship with Israel is directed against Algeria’s security or interests. 

This was reiterated by Moroccan King Mohammed VI in his 2023 Throne Day speech, where he stated, "no evil will ever be done to them, nor will any harm ever come to them from Morocco."

Regarding Mali, tensions escalated after Algerian air defenses shot down a Malian military drone on the night of April 1, 2025, claiming it had breached its southern border near the Tinzouatine region. In response, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso withdrew their ambassadors from Algeria.

The rift between the two countries deepened when the military authorities in Bamako brought Russian Wagner mercenaries into northern Mali. 

Since the beginning of 2023, the Malian army has been conducting joint operations with Wagner forces in regions along the Algerian border.

Algeria also shares a 989-kilometer border with Libya and, like its neighboring countries, fears the infiltration of armed groups into its territory and the smuggling of weapons across the Libyan border, where the absence of a central authority and capable security forces makes it difficult to monitor and control cross-border movements.

International Monitoring

Internationally, the AP News reported that the draft "general mobilization" law proposed by the Algerian government has sparked widespread concern among citizens, at a time when the country is witnessing escalating tensions with its southern neighbor, Mali. 

There are growing indications that the situation could potentially spiral into direct military confrontation between the two countries, alongside Algeria's ongoing crises with Morocco and France.

On April 30, 2025, Associated Press noted that the Algerian government approved the law amidst ongoing field operations by the Chief of Staff of the Algerian Army, Said Chengriha, who has been overseeing military maneuvers in border regions.

This move follows the Algerian army's announcement of downing a drone near the border with Mali, "it was the first incident of its kind during growing tensions between the two countries that each govern a vast portion of the Sahara."

The agency added that the tension with Mali is not an isolated issue, but intersects with the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Algeria and France, which reached its peak after Paris expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan to resolve the Western Sahara conflict.

These developments come just days after a report by the International Crisis Group, which warned that the current crisis between Algeria and Mali could escalate into an open military confrontation, particularly given the lack of security coordination between the two countries and the continued use of drones in military operations in northern Mali.

According to the same source, Algeria missed a strategic opportunity to enhance its influence in the Sahel region after France withdrew from Operation Barkhane (a French-led counterinsurgency operation) in November 2022.

The report noted that while Algeria was expected to fill the resulting security vacuum, Mali instead moved toward a closer alliance with Russia and the AES bloc countries, limiting Algeria’s role as a key security partner in the region.  

The report also pointed to Algeria’s growing concern over refugee flows and the increasing influence of countries like Turkiye, Iran, and Morocco—particularly after the notable security rapprochement between Rabat and Bamako, which culminated in the first meeting of the joint military committee between the two countries in February 2025.

The report further noted that the deteriorating relationship between Algeria and Mali reduces the chances of a political solution in northern Mali, particularly after Mali withdrew from the Algiers Accord mediation, a move that could push some Tuareg factions toward hardline stances or alliances with jihadist groups.

To de-escalate tensions, the report stressed the importance of returning to diplomacy based on mutual recognition of security interests and avoiding a logic of imposition or denial. 

It also called for the activation of African mediation, proposing that the African Union President appoint a high-level envoy, such as former Ghanaian President John Mahama, or involve South Africa due to its diplomatic weight.

Additionally, the report suggested reviving the Algeria-Mali Joint Committee, established in 2005, as a platform for intelligence sharing and coordination in counterterrorism and border control. It also encouraged the involvement of influential international powers, such as Russia, to support these initiatives and prevent the region from sliding further into chaos.