in Depth

Kidnappings in Sahel on the rise

Kidnappings in Sahel on the rise

A key source of income for JNIM or EIGS, kidnappings have increased dramatically in recent years across the Sahel region.

© Ansar Dine jihadists, between Gao and Kidal, 12 June 2012. REUTERS

Article 1/3

terror and intimidation

Article 1/3

A behind-the-scenes look at al-Qaeda’s kidnapping strategy in the Sahel In recent years, the number of kidnappings in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has soared. JNIM, the Sahelian branch of al-Qaeda, which has become adept a...

Former French hostage Sophie Pétronin during a press conference in Bamako, 8 October 2020 ©Montage Jeune Afrique; AFP

Article 2/3

Unassuming intermediaries

Article 2/3

Freeing hostages in the Sahel: When negotiators come into play Each hostage release is the culmination of a slow and discreet mediation process, conducted by intermediaries with a variety of profiles. Among them a...

Malians celebrate the release of Soumaïla Cissé at Bamako airport on 8 October 2020. ©Montage JA; Nicolas Renene/Le Pictorium

Article 3/3

soft targets

Article 3/3

In the Sahel, domestic hostages are too often forgotten Burkinabes, Malians, Nigeriens: hundreds are kidnapped every year by JNIM or other jihadist groups, in an ambience of almost general indifference.

The In Depth Collection

More articles below