How JNIM Is Shifting Its Approach in Mali
The Islamist group JNIM, which has ties to al-Qaeda, is evolving its tactics in Mali by taking over administrative and social duties in areas it controls. Following the military coups of 2020 and 2021, the jihadists' influence has expanded—a clear sign of shifting political dynamics in the country. In April 2026, JNIM launched attacks in Bamako that resulted in the killing of Mali’s defense minister.
JNIM now actively collects taxes, resolves land disputes, and distributes food and medicine across its controlled zones. At the same time, the group permits international humanitarian missions to operate, which may reflect a push to legitimize its authority. Yet alongside these functions, JNIM has imposed bans on music and smoking, while allowing smartphone use and soccer games.
Rising Violence and the Role of External Forces
The conflict is intensifying due to actions by Malian troops and Russian mercenaries. Mali’s ruling junta expelled 15,000 French and UN soldiers and brought in Russian fighters from the Russian Defense Ministry’s African Corps, along with remnants of the Wagner Group. According to ACLED, Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries have killed three to four times more civilians than jihadists over the past two years.
In April 2026, JNIM coordinated with Tuareg separatists to attack Bamako’s airport, leading to the defense minister’s death. Earlier, in January, militants destroyed a fuel convoy, killing 12 people, and in May they murdered around 50 civilians. Additionally, a year-long blockade of the village of Djafarabe has left dozens dead from starvation and lack of medicine.
Amid the fighting, the African Corps and the Malian junta’s army have begun withdrawing from a base in Aguelhok. As of April 25, about 100 Russian fighters were still there; by May 5, at least 30 vehicles had left the camp. The withdrawal is occurring without combat, under a deal brokered by Algeria, suggesting possible strategic shifts on both sides.
JNIM’s changing strategy mirrors deep social and political transformations in Mali after the coups. The jihadists’ growing sway and their bid to gain legitimacy by providing social services pose fresh challenges for local communities and international players. Meanwhile, the surge in violence and the involvement of Russian mercenaries highlight the region’s complexity, where power and resource struggles continue to devastate civilians.