It is an extremely rare intervention.
The emir of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqmi), Abou Obeida Youssef al-Annabi, agreed to answer questions from Wassim Nasr, the specialist in jihadist movements at France 24, after nearly a year of negotiations.
A jihad veteran, the Algerian is one of the founders of AQIM's ancestor, the GSPC.
Senior executive of the organization and media personality, he succeeded in 2020 Abdelmalek Droukdel, its historic leader, killed by the French army in northern Mali, during a helicopter operation.
During this exclusive exchange, the terrorist leader focused more particularly on his native country considered a target by AQIM.
"He is here in denial of the very serious situation of AQIM in Algeria which is under pressure", analyzes Wassim Nasr who recalls that many executives of the organization have been killed or arrested by the authorities.
"Which also explains the choice to go further south towards Mali".
Regarding the threats that could weigh on French territory, Abou Obeida Youssef al-Annabi assured that the objectives of Aqmi and Jnim were "local" but was more evasive on the attacks which would target French expatriates.
Confirmation of the detention of Olivier Dubois
The head of AQIM also officially confirmed that he was holding journalist Olivier Dubois kidnapped in northern Mali in April 2021. "This is the first official confirmation of the head of AQIM", notes Wassim Nasr.
The emir, however, assures "not to have sought to trap the journalist" who was trying to interview a Jnim executive.
According to him, the door is open to negotiations and now "the ball is in the court of the French authorities".
Abou Obeida Youssef al-Annabi touted his recruitment strategy in the Sahel and claimed territorial gains to the south and the Gulf of Guinea.
"According to him, there are no limits to expansion. The strategy consists in inserting oneself into local conflicts and winning hearts and minds", explains Wassim Nasr, who recalls the context of bloody rivalry with the Islamic State organization.
This map shows the areas of activity of jihadist groups in the Sahel.
© France 24
Asked about the Solhan massacre in Burkina Faso in 2021 in which an Al-Qaeda unit is involved and during which at least 160 people lost their lives, the terrorist leader denied any involvement of his men in the killing.
Regarding possible negotiations with African states, "channels remain open".
"We know that these channels exist with Mauritania, Niger, for a while also with Burkina Faso", explains Wassim Nasr.
"Each channel is different depending on the country concerned. He explains that AQMI adapts its negotiation or establishment policy to the historical conditions of each country".
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