Mali’s armed forces have intensified efforts to secure strategic trade routes connecting the capital Bamako to neighboring Senegal, following a surge in attacks by armed groups. The military has been providing escorts to fuel trucks and other vehicles traveling from Senegal to ensure their safe arrival. This move comes after transport companies suspended operations along the route due to a blockade announced by al-Qaeda linked militants Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).

The blockade, which began last week, involved JNIM stopping and setting fire to fuel trucks, prompting the army to launch a major military operation. The operation included airstrikes in the western region of Kayes, near the border with Senegal and Mauritania, and has reportedly broken the blockade. This offensive is part of the ruling military junta’s attempts to weaken the militant group and tighten its grip on the economy by banning fuel imports from neighboring countries.

Since May, jihadists have been targeting Malian and foreign-owned businesses in Kayes, including cement factories, sugar factories, and mines. Multinational miners, such as Barrick Mining and B2Gold, operate in the region, which has been affected by the growing insurgency. JNIM is one of the deadliest armed groups operating in the Sahel region, a hotspot for militant attacks that stretches from North to West Africa.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, has been impacted by the sharp rise in Islamist attacks across the region, with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger withdrawing from the bloc after coups in the three countries. In 2023, they formed a separate multilateral security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States, partnering with Russia instead of long-term Western partners like France. Despite this shift, data shows that Islamist attacks have increased since then.

The escalation of violence in the Sahel region has significant implications for regional security and the economy. The ongoing conflict has disrupted trade and commerce, affecting not only Mali but also neighboring countries. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is closely monitoring developments, and the search for a lasting solution to the crisis remains a priority. With the military’s efforts to secure trade routes and weaken militant groups, the focus now shifts to sustaining these efforts and exploring long-term strategies to address the root causes of the insurgency.