Mali's military rulers put up $3.5 million bounty for capture of top Al-Qaeda figure in Sahel region

A substantial reward of $3.5 million has been announced by Mali's military government for any information that leads to the capture or elimination of Iyad Ag Ghaly, the leader of Al-Qaeda's Sahel branch, who is currently the most wanted individual in the region.

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As the head of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, also known as JNIM, Ghaly has been at the forefront of the largest jihadist force operating in the Sahel states, and his reputation has earned him a spot on the US terrorist list and an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

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Since its inception in 2017, JNIM has been responsible for numerous bold attacks on military authorities, solidifying its position as a significant threat to regional stability.

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In a televised statement, the military-run security ministry offered a bounty of two billion CFA francs, equivalent to $3.5 million, for information contributing to the capture or neutralization of Ghaly, while also offering $2.5 million for details on one of his deputies, Amadou Kouffa.

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The statement further announced rewards for intelligence on two prominent Tuareg rebel leaders, emphasizing that these individuals are actively being pursued by authorities due to their alleged roles in planning, organizing, and executing terrorist acts that have jeopardized public safety and property.

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Mali has been grappling with nearly a decade and a half of turmoil, fueled by the activities of JNIM, Islamic State group affiliates, and criminal gangs, with the country being ruled by the military since the 2020 coup.