Mali is facing a growing crisis as Al-Qaida-linked militants tighten their grip on fuel imports, setting trucks ablaze on key supply routes and threatening to cripple the country’s economy. The armed group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) recently announced the blockade in a video, claiming responsibility for attacks on convoys carrying fuel from neighboring Senegal. This new tactic marks a strategic shift aimed at isolating Bamako from vital resources.
Residents of the capital are increasingly anxious, with fear spreading rapidly. Retired soldier Cheick Oumar Coulibaly expressed concern, stating, “The information we have is that the jihadists are spreading propaganda, claiming they are taking over everywhere. This frightens us, and we are worried.” However, he remained resolute, saying, “But it is just propaganda. They will not be able to take Bamako. As a former soldier, I swear that the terrorists cannot take this country.”
Mali’s landlocked geography makes it particularly vulnerable to the blockade. The country relies heavily on imports from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire for essential goods, including fuel and cement. Economist Modibo Mao Makalou warned that the blockade could have severe consequences, saying, “33% of everything Mali buys from abroad is fuel and its derivatives. So, Senegal is a crucial source of supplies for our country. The blockade is about stopping economic exchanges, economically suffocating our country, and preventing the capital from getting supplies.”
The current situation follows years of escalating insecurity since militants seized control of northern Mali in 2012. Violence that was once concentrated in the north has steadily spread southward, with Bamako itself suffering deadly attacks in recent years. The burning of fuel trucks on roads leading into the capital has many Malians fearing that the insurgents are waging economic warfare aimed at suffocating the country.
The blockade has significant implications for Mali’s economy and stability. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is watching with concern. With the country’s economy already fragile, the blockade could have far-reaching consequences, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and undermining efforts to restore stability. As the Malian government and international partners work to address the crisis, the fate of the country’s economy and the well-being of its citizens hang in the balance.
