Mali announces 2 billion FCFA bounty for JNIM leader Iyad Ag Ghaly

The Malian government revealed on 4 June 2026 a new bounty programme offering rewards of 500 million to 2 billion FCFA for information that leads to the arrest or neutralisation of senior jihadist and separatist commanders. The highest prize, 2 billion FCFA, targets Iyad Ag Ghaly, the leader of the al‑Qaeda‑affiliated JNIM group. Rewards of 1.5 billion FCFA are set for Amadou Kouffa and Abdoulaye Mamoudou Bakaye Diallo, while the FLA negotiator Alghabass Ag Intalla is offered 1 billion FCFA. Four additional figures, including Sedane Ag Hita and Abderrahmane Al‑Batna Al‑Jazairi, are each eligible for 500 million FCFA.

The programme aims to break the silence that protects insurgent leaders by encouraging civilians to provide "reliable, relevant, and exploitable" intelligence. It follows recent attacks in April 2026 that saw a joint JNIM‑FLA operation in Kidal. While officials hope the financial incentives will generate actionable tips, they acknowledge risks such as opportunistic denunciations and the need for source protection. The bounty scheme complements Mali’s broader counter‑terrorism strategy, which combines military action with sanctions against rebel groups.