JNIM offers multimillion euro rewards for information on Mali president and top commanders | Ukraine news

A jihadist coalition has publicly sought to unmask Mali’s civilian and military leadership, escalating tensions across Bamako and the north.

DAKAR, June 12 – the local affiliate of al-Qaeda in Mali, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has announced a reward of several million euros for information that would help determine the whereabouts of the president and the senior military leadership, deeming the government an illegitimate authority.

Key positions and context

• The rebels’ statement on Thursday followed a similar government offer of information that would lead to the JNIM leader Iyad Ag Ghaly and other militants.
• The information was circulated by the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks jihadist activity and communications around the world.
• Attacks linked to al-Qaeda in April, which killed Mali’s defense minister, sparked fighting in the country’s northern regions and raised prospects for rising influence by armed groups.
• JNIM has offered 2 million euros for information leading to Assimi Goita, the head of the government in Bamako, who came to power after coups in 2020 and 2021.
• The announcement also provided for 1 million euros for information about Colonel Lassina Diallo and General Malik Dicko.
• The reward will be paid to anyone who provides information about their whereabouts or who takes specific actions to neutralize them.

Such actions by JNIM underscore the security threat in the region and indicate the growing influence of extremist groups in Mali. Experts emphasize that the situation remains unstable, and the government and the international community must continue to intensify efforts to counter violence and ensure stability.