Jihadist Leader Behind Mali’s Upheaval: Who Is Iyad Ag Ghali?

For nearly 20 years, Iyad Ag Ghali has been a central figure in the jihadist movement in the Sahel region of Africa. French and later Russian forces have pursued him. Now, he is leading an offensive against the military junta ruling Mali. Since 2012, Ghali has led Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a powerful jihadist group. Recently, he has softened his public statements. He seeks to appear more approachable and less radical. This shift may be a strategy to gain wider support as he challenges the government in Bamako.