In this edition of the Global Kidnap Bulletin, we examine the mounting dangers facing aid workers in conflict zones, assess the growing threat of extortion in South Africa’s mining industry, and explore how wrongful detention remains a sensitive geopolitical issue in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. We also track a new kidnapping trend targeting cryptocurrency figures in France, and evaluate Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s uphill battle against escalating violence and organised crime.
World news in brief
A roundup of key political violence developments globally. Read the article
No safe passage: The growing threats facing aid workers
In May, the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) released its annual report, documenting a sharp rise in violence against healthcare organisations and personnel in conflict zones. The findings underscore growing concerns about the operational safety of humanitarian workers amid increasingly complex and hostile environments worldwide. Read the article
Something for nothing: Extortion in South Africa's mining industry
Organised extortion networks have increasingly targeted South Africa’s mining sector, one of the country’s most economically vital industries. The trend reflects how syndicates are expanding their reach, amid broader challenges linked to pervasive crime and a burdensome regulatory landscape. Read the article
Captives and compromises: Wrongful detention amid the Taliban's push for recognition
The Taliban’s release of four US nationals in early 2025 has drawn renewed attention to the group’s limited overtures toward international engagement. However, diplomatic constraints and opaque negotiation channels mean the detention of foreign nationals remains a politically sensitive and unresolved risk for international travellers in Afghanistan. Read the article
The high price of crypto: A new kidnapping trend emerges in France
A spate of recent kidnappings in France targeting high-profile cryptocurrency figures for large ransoms points to an emerging global threat. The incidents reflect how criminal groups are adapting to the digital economy, exposing vulnerabilities in a rapidly expanding sector. Read the article
An uphill battle: President Noboa's approach to escalating violence in Ecuador
President Daniel Noboa faces mounting pressure to curb Ecuador’s deteriorating security environment, marked by surging rates of extortion and kidnapping. His ability to deliver tangible improvements through policy execution will be pivotal in shaping the country’s long-term security outlook. Read the article
