The Malian junta has escalated its fight against terrorism by placing a bounty on the heads of key jihadist figures, including the leader of the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). This announcement follows coordinated attacks that claimed the life of a prominent defense official.
Targets of the manhunt
Iyad Ag Ghaly, a former Tuareg rebel and diplomat, heads the JNIM, an al-Qaeda-linked group formed in 2017. Already under United Nations sanctions and a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, he now faces a substantial financial reward for his capture.
The Malian government has also placed bounties on other high-profile suspects, including Amadou Kouffa, another JNIM commander, and two leaders from the predominantly Tuareg Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA): Alghabass Ag Intalla and Bilal Ag Cherif. The amounts offered range from 2.2 million euros to other undisclosed figures.
Escalation after deadly strikes
Recent attacks on April 25 and 26, carried out by JNIM fighters in alliance with the FLA, targeted military positions across multiple regions. These coordinated strikes marked one of the deadliest offensives against the junta in Bamako, resulting in the death of Defense Minister Sadio Camara, a key figure in the transitional government.
Government response and security measures
In a televised address, the Malian government emphasized its commitment to combating terrorism and preserving national security. The official statement outlined rewards for credible information leading to the arrest or neutralization of the listed individuals, citing their alleged roles in planning and executing attacks that endangered civilians and infrastructure.
The move reflects the junta’s determination to dismantle militant networks operating in the Sahel region, where instability has persisted for over a decade. Since 2012, Mali has grappled with a severe security crisis fueled by JNIM, the Islamic State group, and community-based criminal factions.
