Mali has recently unveiled its new plan to combat Al Qaeda and its involvement in the illegal drug trade within the African nation. Al Qaeda in Mali are believed to have been charging tolls to drug traffickers and arms smugglers, according to the New York Times in an article titled “Mali Tries to Form Bulward Against Extremists.” Malian officials attribute much of Al Qaeda’s influence to widespread poverty.
Mali and other African nations have become safe havens for Al Qaeda’s drug trafficking operations. Between 180 to 240 metric tons of cocaine was transferred through routes through West Africa to Europe, according to ABC News in an article titled “Selling Drugs to Fund Terror: al-Qaeda Linked to Cocaine Trafficking.” Revenue from illegal drugs is believed to be used to support Al Qaeda’s jihadi war against Western nations.
