Iyad Ag Ghaly, a former Tuareg rebel and Malian diplomat, now heads the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a coalition formed in 2017 that has become a dominant force in Mali’s security crisis.
Once a key negotiator, he is now the most wanted man in the Sahel. Under UN sanctions and on the US terror list, he faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Recent jihadist offensives—coordinated with the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA), a predominantly Tuareg rebel movement—have escalated tensions. On April 25–26, coordinated attacks struck strategic positions across Mali, targeting the military leadership in Bamako. Among the casualties was Defence Minister Sadio Camara, a central figure in the transitional government, killed in a suicide bombing.
In response, the Malian government announced financial rewards for intelligence leading to the capture or elimination of six high-profile targets. The list includes:
- Amadou Kouffa, a senior JNIM commander, with a bounty of €2.2 million;
- Alghabass Ag Intalla and Bilal Ag Cherif, two FLA leaders;
- and three additional operatives linked to recent attacks.
The government’s statement urged citizens to assist in dismantling these networks, emphasizing their role in destabilizing national security. It detailed their alleged involvement in terrorism-related crimes, including attacks on civilians and state infrastructure.
Since 2012, Mali has grappled with a worsening security vacuum, driven by insurgencies from JNIM, the Islamic State, and local criminal factions. The latest offensive underscores the fragility of the state’s authority and the urgent need for coordinated counterterrorism efforts.
