Five Indian nationals working on electrification projects have been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in western Mali, near Kobri. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, brings into sharp focus the escalating violence and insecurity plaguing the West African nation, largely driven by jihadist factions. A company representative verified the abduction on Friday. While responsibility remains unclaimed, the kidnapping adds to the region’s growing instability. Mali, under the control of a military junta since 2020, has become a breeding ground for extremist groups, including the Al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM and the Islamic State. The company has prioritized the safety of its personnel, moving other Indian employees to Bamako. The persistent security crisis has severely impacted Mali’s economic stability, with JNIM recently implementing a fuel blockade. Foreigners continue to be prime targets in Mali, a country mired in conflict since 2012. This follows closely on the heels of JNIM militants abducting and later releasing two Emirati nationals and an Iranian near Bamako for an estimated $50 million ransom. The current priority is the safe recovery of the five Indian workers.
