The Mali drone lawsuit cannot progress, according to the World Court, unless Algeria accepts jurisdiction

Mali’s request to file a case against neighboring Algeria for downing a Malian military drone may only move further if Algeria agrees to the court’s jurisdiction, the International Court of Justice stated on Friday.

A diplomatic issue resulted from Mali’s claim that Algeria purposefully shot down the drone at their shared desert border between March 31 and April 1.

Mali claimed in its application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the highest court of the United Nations, that the drone downing constituted an act of aggression that violated international law.

However, the court stated that it has forwarded Mali’s petition to the Algerian government because Algeria has not granted the ICJ automatic jurisdiction over any disputes with other U.N. members.

As stated in a press release, “No action will be taken in the proceedings unless and until Algeria consents to the court’s jurisdiction in the case,” the International Court of Justice (ICJ), often known as the World Court, stated.

Mali claims that the drone was downed in the Kidal region of Mali, close to Tinzaouaten, with the intention of impeding Malian forces’ ability to combat armed groups.

Algeria claims that an armed surveillance drone that had infringed on its airspace close to the border was shot down by its soldiers.