BAMAKO, Mali (Kashmir English): A terrorist and rebel organization in Mali recently received over 50 million US dollars (approximately 14 billion rupees) in exchange for the release of a member of the UAE royal family, which is being called the largest ransom in the region to date.
According to a foreign news agency, the ransom was paid to an Al-Qaeda-linked militant organization.
This organization is striving to overthrow Mali’s military government and implement Sharia law in the country with ransom and fuel, both its key weapons.
The group demanded a 50-million-dollar ransom after kidnapping a member of the UAE royal family, who was a gold trader, near the capital Bamako on September 26.
Two other individuals kidnapped with him included his Iranian and Pakistani business partners.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations and local security officials, proof of life for the hostages was sought before the ransom was paid, and 400 million CFA francs (approximately over 7 million dollars) were paid.
Finally, at the end of October, all three hostages were released for approximately 50 million dollars.
According to Malian security sources, these negotiations also resulted in the release of approximately 30 prisoners from the militant organization and some Malian soldiers.
Earlier, Reuters claimed that four sources told them that the agreement reached for the release of the Emirati citizens was made possible by a large sum of money, which, according to three sources, the UAE would pay.
Two sources said that an Iranian citizen was also released as a result of these negotiations.
According to the report, this large ransom will prove to be significant financial aid for this group, which is currently taking various measures, including imposing restrictions on fuel supply, to increase pressure on Mali’s military government.
This restriction forced schools in the capital, Bamako, to close and led to long queues for fuel.
According to a US agency monitoring military conflicts, this militant organization extensively uses the kidnapping of foreign nationals in West Africa as a major financial resource.
Mali situation
On average, two to four kidnappings of foreigners are recorded in this area each year.
It is worth noting that since the 2021 military coup in Mali, the military leadership in power has been trying to deal with groups affiliated with ISIS and Al-Qaeda for over a decade.
Despite claims by authorities to improve security, these organizations have not only continued their attacks but have also strengthened their grip in and around urban areas.
