In two separate videos circulating on social media, a Malian hostage and another of South African nationality call for help. They claim to be detained by Iyag Ag Ghaly's Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim) The two hostages indicate May 26 as the date of recording of the videos.

According to sources close to the case, the JNIM kidnappers have two objectives: to give proof of life or new evidence of life of the hostages, and to put pressure on their country to accelerate discussions.