BAMAKO, Mali — Mali is facing a sharp escalation in insecurity as jihadist groups have carried out a record number of kidnappings targeting foreigners this year.
According to data from ACLED, between 22 and 26 foreign nationals were abducted between May and October 2025 — the highest figure ever recorded in the country. The number nearly doubles the previous record of 13 kidnappings in 2022.
Victims and Perpetrators
Those abducted include nationals from China, India, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran, as well as several from the Balkans — a Serbian, a Croat, and a Bosnian. Most of the kidnappings are attributed to JNIM, the Al-Qaeda-linked coalition operating across the Sahel.
“Economic Jihad”
Experts say hostage-taking has become a central pillar of JNIM’s so-called “economic jihad.” Ransoms have reached staggering levels; in one case, the group reportedly secured up to $50 million for the release of an Emirati hostage and his entourage.
Wider Impact
Beyond financing militant operations, the kidnappings are seen as a deliberate strategy to undermine foreign investment and destabilize Mali’s fragile political and economic landscape. Analysts warn that the targeting of international actors poses growing risks for diplomacy, development projects, and regional security across West Africa.