The United States has joined a growing list of countries, including Italy and Germany, in urging its citizens to depart Mali promptly due to the country’s deepening fuel crisis. The US State Department has ordered all non-emergency employees and their families to leave, citing safety risks. This decision comes as Mali’s military-led government faces immense pressure from al Qaeda-linked insurgents, who have been blocking fuel imports since early September.

The insurgents, affiliated with Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), have attacked convoys of petrol tankers attempting to enter the landlocked country or reach the capital, Bamako. The blockade is a retaliation for the military’s ban on fuel sales in rural areas, a measure aimed at cutting off the jihadists’ supply lines. The move has resulted in long queues at garages, with anger rising among citizens.

To mitigate the situation, the army has restricted its personnel to using a limited number of service stations in Bamako and Kati. This decision aims to reduce tensions at overcrowded service stations, where petrol prices have increased by 500 percent. The government has also suspended classes at schools and universities for two weeks due to the shortage, which is impacting farmers during the harvest period.

The fuel shortage has further exacerbated Mali’s recurring power cuts, with electricity supply reduced from 19 to 6 hours a day by Énergie du Mali. Analysts believe the blockade is part of a pressure campaign by the militants to cripple the country’s economy. The situation is likely to worsen if the blockade continues, with potential consequences for the country’s stability and security.

As the international community urges its citizens to leave, the Malian government faces significant challenges in addressing the crisis. The country’s landlocked location and dependence on fuel imports make it vulnerable to such blockades. With the situation showing no signs of improvement, the government must find a swift solution to restore fuel supplies and alleviate the suffering of its citizens. The ongoing crisis has significant implications for Mali’s economy, security, and stability, making it essential for the government to address the issue promptly.