Mali: Colombian national released, Oct. 9, following four years in captivity

Event

A kidnapped Colombian national was released Oct. 9. She arrived in Bamako late Oct. 9 before being flown to Rome, Italy. The victim, a Christian missionary who had worked in the country for six years, was kidnapped by suspected Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militants in Karangasso near the border with Burkina Faso in 2017. The circumstances surrounding the release are unclear. It is not clear where she was held and if a ransom was paid for her release. Officials noted the efforts of several intelligence agencies in the attempt to secure her freedom.

Context

There is a high threat of kidnapping in Mali. The threat stems predominantly from Islamist groups operating across the center and north of the country. Militants often use kidnapping, particularly of foreign nationals, as a form of leverage against foreign armies and governments. Groups also conduct kidnappings to raise funds to finance their operations. In line with the complex security dynamic in the region, cooperation between militant groups is common, particularly in the case of foreign kidnap targets. Efforts by local authorities to halt such activities have largely failed to lessen the threat.