Mali's security crisis has taken a dramatic new turn after the country's main al-Qaeda-linked insurgent group offered millions of euros for information leading to the capture or killing of the nation's military leadership.
Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the al-Qaeda affiliate that has become one of the most powerful jihadist groups operating in the Sahel, announced rewards totalling €4 million for information on key figures in Mali's ruling military government, according to Reuters.
According to a statement circulated by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist communications, JNIM is offering €2 million for information leading to the whereabouts of Mali's military ruler, Assimi Goïta. The group also announced separate €1 million rewards for information on Colonel Lassina Diallo and General Malik Dicko.
The insurgent group described Mali's government as illegitimate and said rewards would be paid to anyone providing information on the officials' locations or taking concrete action to "neutralise" them.
The move appears to be a direct response to a recent $3.5 million bounty announced by Mali's government for information leading to the capture of JNIM leader Iyad Ag Ghaly and other senior militant commanders.
