In this edition of the Global Kidnap Bulletin we look at the new fundraising activities of Islamic State affiliate Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah in Mozambique, track the increase in extortion cases in Canada, and assess the business impact of Mexico's efforts to target cartel and organised crime activities. We also explore tensions between Algeria and France, and review the challenges facing businesses operating in the Middle East amid the spread of conflict.
World news in brief
A roundup of key political violence developments globally. Read the article
Financing the caliphate: ASWJ’s growing relationship with northern Mozambique’s artisanal miners
In 2025, Islamic State affiliate Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah (ASWJ) increased its fundraising activities significantly, demonstrating a new focus on local revenue generation. While most of this new income continues to be raised in express kidnappings and illegal tolls on travellers, ASWJ has increasingly regularlised their presence around Cabo Delgado’s artisanal and small-scale mines, fleshing out the beginnings of a stable protection racket to benefit from the record-high prices of gold. Read the article
Pay to play: Canada’s fight against rising extortion
Extortion in Canada has increased in recent years, rising sharply across British Columbia, Alberta, and the Peel Region. Small business owners, foreign students and digital victims are primary targets. Organised criminal groups, such as the Bishnoi gang, have replaced opportunistic lone actors as the primary drivers of these incidents. Read the article
The cost of business: Organised crime in Mexico
While President Claudia Sheinbaum has adopted a more targeted security strategy to address cartel-related violence and improve protection for key commercial sectors, organised crime, including extortion and kidnapping, are likely to continue to pose a threat to Mexico’s business environment. Read the article
Tit-for-tat: Reciprocal detentions amid France-Algeria tensions
The last two years of France-Algeria relations have been characterised by recurring diplomatic tensions and reciprocal retaliations between the two. While both sides have made efforts to improve relations in recent weeks, underlying distrust and disagreements will continue to pose challenges for French and Algerian travellers and businesses in each country. Read the article
Should I stay or should I go? Navigating evacuation decisions in the Middle East
The rapid spread of conflict across the Middle East since February 2026 has spurred widespread travel disruptions amid significant uncertainty. Companies and foreign nationals have faced major challenges in managing relocations and evacuations, underscoring the importance of proactive planning to avoid being caught off guard in such crises. Read the article
