Quick Take: How Did Mali-based Terrorists Get So Many Chinese Weapons?

The latest revelation in our growing body of research on how Chinese weapons fall into the hands of African militant groups

Mali-based Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam was-Muslimin (JNIM) poses a growing threat to the region. It also has access to a large arsenal of weapons manufactured from China. Image source

On September 17, militants for the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) staged a surprise attack in the Malian capital of Bamako. Videos show fighters randomly shooting at windows of the presidential pavilion, a building typically used by the country’s head of state to welcome foreign dignitaries and other visiting guests. Following the attack, the Malian military released images of some of the weapons held by the JNIM militants, most of which were manufactured in China. We at Between the Lines have devoted a considerable amount of time to identifying the growing use of Chinese weapons among African militant groups and potential links that signal that corrupt means they obtain them. Here is my latest analysis.