UN says $50 million ransom fueled Al-Qaeda offensive in Mali

According to a new UN report, most of the money was redistributed to fighters in the Sahel, while some was passed on to Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in the Arabian Peninsula and to the group’s central command.

A new UN report detailing the use of the ransom did not identify the hostage or say who had made the payment, but three sources identified the country that made the payment as the UAE.

By David Lewis LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - An estimated $50 million ransom paid to free a hostage seized by al Qaeda-linked militants in Mali in late 2025 has helped to fund their advances across West Africa and the group's global network, U.N. experts said. A new U.N. report detailing the use of the ransom did not iden

The findings show how a ransom payment can reshape the finances and reach of a militant network.