Mali announces $3 million reward for JNIM leader capture
The Malian authorities have declared a landmark bounty of two billion West African CFA francs for credible information leading to the capture or elimination of Iyad Ag Ghaly, the notorious leader of the Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated armed group. This unprecedented move comes amid escalating security challenges across the Sahel region.
Iyad Ag Ghaly: The Sahel’s most wanted jihadist
In a televised statement, Malian officials revealed the two billion CFA franc reward—equivalent to roughly three million euros—for actionable intelligence on Iyad Ag Ghaly. Once a Tuareg rebel leader, he now heads the JNIM, which has spearheaded a decade-long insurgency across the Sahel. Ag Ghaly faces international sanctions, is listed by US authorities, and holds an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Additional bounties target other militant figures
The Malian government has also placed bounties on six other armed group leaders. Among them are Amadou Kouffa, a key JNIM figure, along with leaders of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), Alghabass Ag Intalla and Bilal Ag Cherif. Bamako accuses these individuals of orchestrating and executing terrorist attacks against state forces.
Government responds to rising militant violence
This announcement follows coordinated assaults in late April, when JNIM fighters and their FLA allies targeted multiple strategic military positions. The attacks marked a significant escalation, resulting in the death of Defense Minister Sadio Camara, a central figure in the transitional military regime.
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