The United Arab Emirates reportedly paid approximately €50 million and delivered several tons of weapons and ammunition to al Qaeda Sahel affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) in exchange for three kidnapped foreigners, including two Emiratis, Jeune Afrique reported on Oct. 30. Alongside the ransom and weapons delivery, the agreement included a prisoner exchange, with between 37 and 65 jihadists released by the Malian junta in return for several dozen Malian soldiers previously held by JNIM.