Mali Sees Record Surge in Foreign Kidnappings Amid Rising Jihadist Activity

Mali is facing a record surge in foreign kidnappings by jihadist group JNIM, with 22–26 people abducted between May and October 2025. Ransoms, sometimes reaching $50 million, fund militant operations and aim to destabilize Mali’s political and economic environment, threatening regional security and foreign investment.

Mali is experiencing a dramatic escalation in insecurity as jihadist groups have carried out an unprecedented number of kidnappings targeting foreigners this year. According to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), between May and October 2025, at least 22 to 26 foreign nationals were abducted across the country, marking the highest number of such incidents ever recorded in Mali. This figure nearly doubles the previous record of 13 kidnappings reported in 2022, highlighting a worrying trend in the frequency and scale of these attacks. The victims include a diverse array of nationalities, such as Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Emirati, and Iranian citizens, as well as several individuals from the Balkans, including a Serbian, a Croat, and a Bosnian.

These abductions have largely been attributed to JNIM, the Al-Qaeda-linked coalition operating across the Sahel region. Experts note that the practice of kidnapping foreigners has become a central component of the group’s so-called “economic jihad,” which relies heavily on ransom payments to fund militant operations. Reports indicate that ransoms demanded by JNIM have reached staggering levels. In one particularly notable case, the group is believed to have received up to 50 million dollars for the release of an Emirati hostage and his entourage, demonstrating the financial scale and strategic importance of these abductions.

Beyond their immediate financial benefit, these kidnappings are strategically designed to exert broader pressure on Mali’s fragile political and economic environment. By targeting foreigners, JNIM seeks to undermine confidence in international investment and development projects, creating an atmosphere of fear that discourages engagement from businesses, diplomats, and humanitarian actors. This, in turn, exacerbates the country’s political instability, weakens governance, and further complicates efforts to promote peace and security in the region.

Analysts warn that the growing frequency of these incidents also poses significant risks for regional security across West Africa. Neighboring countries are likely to face heightened threats as militant networks expand their operational reach, taking advantage of porous borders and limited state control in remote areas. The situation complicates ongoing counterterrorism and stabilization efforts, as security forces are increasingly stretched to respond to both internal threats and cross-border incursions.

The international community has expressed concern over the rising kidnappings, emphasizing the need for coordinated strategies to protect foreign nationals, safeguard investment, and counter the financial and operational capacity of jihadist groups like JNIM. While Mali’s government continues to confront the challenges posed by insurgency and instability, the escalation of foreign-targeted kidnappings underscores the urgent need for robust security measures, increased intelligence cooperation, and support from regional and international partners to prevent further deterioration of the situation.