Judul : Mali Sees Surge in Foreigner Kidnappings by Jihadists
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Mali Sees Surge in Foreigner Kidnappings by Jihadists
The number of foreigners abducted by extremists in Mali has hit a new peak, with a minimum of 22 individuals held captive by the al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM over the past six months, as part of its plan to weaken the current military government.
From May to October, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims—commonly referred to by its Arabic abbreviation JNIM—has taken hold of citizens from China, India, Egypt, the UAE, Iran, Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia, as reported by the NGO ACLED, which monitors violence in conflict areas across the globe.
Some have been released later, but not all. ACLED states that it lacks enough verified data to provide statistics on releases, especially concerning nationals from China and India.
Heni Nsaibia, senior West Africa analyst atACLED, informed RFI that the number of individuals who have been taken is "nearly twice the previous high of 2022," when 13 foreigners were seized.
JNIM has established the abduction of affluent foreigners for ransom as a key component of its approach to "economic jihad."
Its objective is to remove the nation's governing military council – which has had difficulty controlling Mali's ten-year-long uprising since coming into power aftercoupsin 2020 and 2021 – deterring investors and bringing the nation's economy to a standstill.
Mali's economy is on the verge of collapse due to JNIM fuel assaults
In June, JNIM warned of attacking any foreign businesses and industries located inMali, as well as any company conducting business with the Malian government without its "approval".
To strengthen its influence and advance its expansion in the area, the group has imposed a fuel blockade and intensified attacks on tankers transporting fuel to landlocked Mali from the coasts of Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire. JNIM has also carried out attacks on factories and mining sites.
Record ransom
Many of the abductions have taken place in the western part of the country, where approximately 80 percent of Mali's gold is extracted, as reported by the Soufan Centre consultancy.
At least 11 Chinese nationals were taken in western Mali during assaults on seven industrial facilities, with six of these being operated by Chinese firms, as reported by the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute.AEI) think tank.
Five individuals from India employed by an energy firm and one person from Egypt were taken in the same area last week.
Near the end of October, approximately €50 million was transferred to JNIM in return for an Emirati sheikh and two of his business associates, one Iranian and one Pakistani.
A member of the United Arab Emirates royal family was engaged in the gold trade and was taken hostage near the capital Bamako on 26 September, as reported by a source involved in the discussions and another Malian security official.
That amount "signifies the largest ransom ever recorded in the area and provides a significant financial gain for [JNIM]", as stated by ACLED. It remains unclear who settled the ransom.
Chinese companies face consequences from jihadist attacks on Mali's military government
Liam Karr, a researcher with AEI, stated to the French news agency AFP that "the funds will assist the group in acquiring additional weaponry, including commercial drones, explosives, and small arms, as well as cover fighter salaries."
A Malian security official mentioned that in this agreement, JNIM also secured "the release of approximately 30 of its detainees" held by the Malian intelligence agency.
"Malian troops were also released in the same exchange. It is an impressive agreement regarding its magnitude and the components involved, particularly in the present situation," they stated.
Besides foreign captives, JNIM has dozens of Malian hostages, such as military personnel, government officials, employees, and regular citizens.
Security vacuum
For Rida Lyammouri, a scholar at theCenter for Policy in the New South, this kind of ransom will enable JNIM to "sustain its present level of military activity, including the economic embargo on Bamako, for an extended duration".
"Such a capture is likely to enhance JNIM's aspirations to grow and create a long-term foothold in the Sahel and the coastal regions of Africa," Lyammouri said to AFP.
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The researcher claims that the departure of French forces following the coup has created a security gap that jihadists have taken advantage of, a void that the junta's new security allies—such as Russia—have been unable to address.
As JNIM's control strengthens, the United States and the United Kingdom announced two weeks ago that they are withdrawing all non-essential staff from Mali, while numerous embassies have advised their nationals to leave.residents to exit the nation.
Nevertheless, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop mentioned last week that the terrorists' "shift in methods" was "an indication of their decline".
Copyright 2025 Radio France Internationale. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (okay1)
Tagged: Mali, Religion, Arms and Military Affairs, West Africa, Conflict, Peace and Security
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