The Malian junta has escalated its crackdown on armed groups by placing a bounty on the heads of key jihadist leaders, including Iyad Ag Ghaly, the notorious founder of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).
Once a Tuareg rebel and former Malian diplomat, Ag Ghaly now stands as the most wanted figure in the Sahel. His name appears on international sanctions lists, including those of the United Nations and the United States, alongside a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In late April, coordinated attacks by JNIM fighters—in alliance with the National Liberation Front of Azawad (FLA), a predominantly Tuareg rebel movement—struck critical military positions across Mali. The assaults marked an unprecedented escalation in violence, leaving Defense Minister Sadio Camara, a central figure in the junta, dead in a suicide bombing.
The Malian government responded swiftly, announcing a reward for information leading to the capture or elimination of six high-ranking militants. Among them are Amadou Kouffa of the JNIM, valued at 2.2 million euros, as well as Alghabass Ag Intalla and Bilal Ag Cherif of the FLA.
The official statement emphasized the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and safeguarding national security. It urged citizens to come forward with verifiable intelligence to dismantle these networks. Authorities stressed that the targeted individuals are suspected of orchestrating attacks that have destabilized communities and endangered lives.
The current security crisis in Mali traces its roots to 2012, when a wave of violence engulfed the country. Since then, the conflict has been fueled by the JNIM, the Islamic State, and a mosaic of armed factions, creating a persistent humanitarian and security emergency.
