**How an al-Qaeda Offshoot Became One of Africa’s Deadliest Militant Groups**
In recent years, West Africa has witnessed a dramatic increase in militant jihadist attacks, primarily attributed to the al-Qaeda affiliate known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM. This group has emerged as one of the most formidable and deadly militant organizations in the region. Established in 2017 in Mali as a coalition of five disparate jihadist factions, JNIM has rapidly expanded its influence and operational capabilities, particularly in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
On July 1st, JNIM announced it executed a synchronized assault on multiple military installations in western Mali, emphasizing the growing threat it poses to regional stability. The persistent violence has led to concerns that JNIM’s actions could exacerbate the instability that has already spurred multiple military coups in the Sahel region over recent years. The effectiveness of the military juntas that replaced civilian governments remains questionable, as they struggle to counteract the rising tide of jihadist violence.
**What is JNIM?**
Created through the unification of Militant groups such as Ansar Dine, Katibat Macina, Al-Mourabitoun, Ansar al-Islam, and the Sahara branch of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, JNIM has quickly grown into one of Africa’s most lethal jihadist organizations. The inception of JNIM can be traced back to 2012 when French military interventions drove numerous jihadist and separatist organizations from northern Mali. This situation led to a significant realignment, culminating in the creation of JNIM to better coordinate efforts among the factions.
The leadership of JNIM is marked by Iyad Ag Ghali, a former Malian diplomat with strong ties to the Tuareg ethnicity, who has been a pivotal figure within the organization since its formation. His deputy, Amadou Koufa, represents the Fulani community, which signifies the group’s attempt to encompass diverse ethnic backgrounds in its leadership structure. Although the specific number of fighters in JNIM remains unclear, estimates suggest a force numbering in the thousands, predominantly comprising youth from impoverished backgrounds.
**What does JNIM want?**
JNIM explicitly rejects the authority of existing Sahelian governments, battles to enforce its interpretation of Islam, and implements strict Sharia laws within the regions it controls. Reports indicate that the group has mandated dress codes, banned certain activities such as music and smoking, and enforced restrictions preventing women from appearing in public without accompanying men. This stringent interpretation of Islam tends to clash with local customs and practices, which are often more relaxed compared to the demands imposed by JNIM. As Yvan Guichaoua, a researcher at the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies notes, the attractiveness of JNIM’s offers often hinges on the state’s failure to deliver basic services, leading many to consider alternative forms of governance, such as Sharia courts, appealing.
**Where does JNIM operate?**
Initially based in northern and central Mali, JNIM has expanded its operational footprint significantly over the years. Their influence now stretches throughout Mali and into 11 out of 13 regions in Burkina Faso, supplemented by activities in neighboring countries such as Benin, Togo, and Ivory Coast. Within Burkina Faso, the group has found a stronghold particularly in the northern and eastern border regions, leveraging local grievances as a means of recruiting members. Security analysts note JNIM’s adeptness at embedding itself within communities, which facilitates recruitment and fosters support for its cause.
**Increasing Scale of Attacks**
Recent months have witnessed an alarming spike in violent incidents across Burkina Faso, with data indicating the group conducted over 280 attacks in the first half of 2025 alone—doubling the figures from the same period in the previous year. The group has claimed nearly 1,000 lives across the Sahel since April, primarily targeting security forces and government-affiliated militias. Notably, roughly 800 of these fatalities occurred in Burkina Faso. The frequency and brutality of these attacks exacerbate fears regarding JNIM’s capabilities, as they increasingly utilize improvised explosive devices and target the military and civilian populations alike.
**Funding Sources**
JNIM generates revenue from various activities, evolving from initial tactics such as foreign kidnappings to more sustainable and widespread methods like cattle rustling. Known for its extensive cattle trade, research indicates that JNIM could be earning millions from livestock theft alone. Moreover, the group imposes taxes on gold and other goods passing through its territories and exacts protection payments from civilians. Such economic interactions underscore the depth of JNIM’s entrenchment within local economies.
**Efforts to Combat JNIM**
International military efforts, notably by France and the G5 Sahel Task Force, aimed to dismantle JNIM’s power have struggled to yield significant success. Although there were early victories in reclaiming
