Mali announce $3.5 million bounty to capture JNIM leader, six odas for terrorism

Mali junta goment don place bounty of 2 billion CFA Francs (about $3.5 million) on di head of Iyad Ag Ghaly, leader of di deadly Sahel jihadist group JNIM, for im alleged involvement for terrorism.

Di move dey come afta April coordinated attacks by JMIM militants and Tuareg separatists from di FLA group, wey kill Defence Minister Sadio Camara.

According to statement from di Security and Civil Protection Ministry, wey dem read on state television on Thursday, dem also name six oda rebel leaders on di same wanted list, including one of Ghaly deputies and two FLA officials.

Dem announce separate financial rewards for information wey go lead to dia capture or killing.

"Di authorities dey actively find dis individuals for dia alleged involvement for di planning, organisation and execution of terrorist acts wey threaten di safety of pipo and dia property within di national territory," di statement read in part.

Di authorities also urge di public to collaborate wit goment as e move to tackle di growing insurgency for di kontri.

Who be Iyad Ag Ghaly

JNIM na one of di most active jihadist groups wey dey operate for di Sahel. Di Al-Qaeda affiliate wey dey cause kasala for junta-led Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, dey also seek to expand to oda coastal West African states such as Benin, Ghana, Togo, and Ivory Coast.

Dia leader na Ghaly, former Malian diplomat from di Tuareg ethnic group and e dey among dose wey lead di separatist rebellion against di goment for 2012.

For 2017, di International Criminal Court (ICC) issue warrant for im arrest but keep am under seal.

Na later dem make am public for 2024, wit di court accusing him of crimes against humanity and war crimes between 2012 and 2013.

Ghaly also dey on di U.S. terrorist list and e dey under UN sanctions.

Meanwhile, di FLA rebels dey lead separatist campaign for di north of di kontri since 2012.

During di coordinated attacks wit JNIM for April dis year, dem capture some strategic territories from di Malian army, including Kidal.

Since dem seize power for separate coups, di ruling junta fail to improve security despite benefiting from di support of Russian mercenaries.

E no dey clear weda financial incentives for information leading to di capture or killing of di rebels go get any impact on di wider security situation for di kontri.

Iyad Ag Ghaly, don lead Tuareg uprisings against di Malian goment and e don act as go-between for securing di release of hostages kidnapped by al-Qaeda, and spend time as Malian diplomat for Saudi Arabia.

E come from di Ifoghas tribe and di Kidal region of north-eastern Mali. E first come to public attention for di early 1990s as di leader of Tuareg revolt wey dey seek independence or greater autonomy for di northern region of Mali wey dem call Azawad.

For August 2003, e play key role to secure di release of 14 mostly German tourists kidnapped by di Algerian Salafi Group for Call and Combat, GSPC, wey later become Al-Qaeda for di Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

E later negotiate further hostage releases for 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Between late 2007 and early 2010, Ghaly hold post at di Malian consulate for Jedda, Saudi Arabia.

Several Malian press reports say e comot for di post afta Saudi Arabia declare am say e get contact wit terrorist elements.

Why Mali goment ban motorcycles

Meanwhile, on di oda hand, Mali military goment don ban di use of motorcycles outside major urban areas as part of new measures aimed to tackle armed groups.

Di restrictions apply to motorcycles wit medium to large engines, wey dey more powerful and faster. Smaller motorcycles no dey affected by di ban.

Dem make di announcement for state television wit authorities saying di restrictions na to help stop movement of militants wey dey frequently use motorcycles during attacks.

Dis decision dey likely to affect many Malians, particularly for rural areas wia motorcycles na key means of transport for pipo, goods and services.

Dis measures come week afta one major attack by di al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM and di Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).

Di attack assault hit several locations across di kontri and highlight growing security challenges wey dey face Mali military authorities.

Di armed groups also seize control of di key northern city of Kidal and attack military base, wey even lead to death of Defence minister.

Authorities don also suspend importation and sale of motorcycles and motorcycle accessories for initial period of one year.

Traders get up to 90 days to declare dia stock as officials say any undeclared motorcycles go dey confiscated.

Motorcycles don become common feature of insurgent operations across di Sahel, allowing fighters to move quickly across difficult terrain, launch attacks and run away from security forces.

Similar restrictions dey introduced at various times for parts of Mali and neighbouring kontris, including Nigeria, as goments seek to limit di movement of armed groups.