A new UN report found that an estimated $50 million ransom paid to free a hostage seized by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Mali in 2025 has helped to fund terrorism across West Afri

A new UN report found that an estimated $50 million ransom paid to free a hostage seized by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Mali in 2025 has helped to fund terrorism across West Africa. Link A $50 million hostage ransom funded al-Qaeda terrorism in West Africa, UN says A new UN report detailing the use of the ransom did not identify the hostage or say who had made the payment, but three sources identified the country that made the payment as the UAE.