The Malian government has unveiled a major reward programme aimed at locating individuals suspected of involvement in armed attacks across the country.
Authorities announced on Thursday that substantial financial incentives will be offered to anyone providing information that leads to the capture or identification of key militant figures accused of threatening national security and public safety.
Among those targeted is Iyad Ag Ghaly, the leader of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an extremist group linked to al-Qaeda that operates across parts of the Sahel region. Officials have placed a reward of 2 billion CFA francs, equivalent to approximately $3.5 million, for information leading to his whereabouts.
The government also announced separate rewards for intelligence on several other high-profile suspects, including Alghabass Ag Intalla, a prominent Tuareg political and separatist figure.
The initiative comes in the wake of a series of deadly attacks carried out earlier this year that resulted in the death of a senior government official and injuries to other public figures. The violence triggered renewed clashes across northern Mali, a region that has long experienced insecurity involving militant groups and armed factions.
The reward programme was formally approved by Major General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, Mali’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen counterterrorism operations and improve intelligence gathering.
Mali has faced persistent security challenges for more than a decade, with extremist organisations and armed groups continuing to operate in several parts of the country despite military campaigns and regional security initiatives.
Government officials hope the reward system will encourage citizens to share valuable information that could assist security forces in tracking down individuals considered major threats to national stability.
