Mali’s opposition has accused the military junta of failing to protect the country amid a prolonged shortage of fuel, which has been exacerbated by a blockade of fuel supply routes by the al-Qaeda affiliated Support Group for Islam and Muslims, or JNIM. The shortage, which has affected the capital Bamako for two months, has resulted in significant social and economic repercussions.

The JNIM has been orchestrating the shortage by blocking fuel supply routes and even setting fire to fuel tankers transporting petrol. This has led to a severe shortage of petroleum products, prompting the head of Mali’s transitional government, General Assimi Goïta, to call for unity in the face of what he described as a “terrorist threat.” However, his foreign minister has attempted to downplay the situation, claiming that there is no blockade of the capital.

The situation has raised concerns about the scale of the country’s security crisis, with several countries recently urging their citizens to leave Mali. The fuel shortage has also had a significant impact on the country’s economy, with many businesses and services grinding to a halt. The opposition has seized on the crisis, urging the population to “open their eyes” to a regime that “seizes the nation” without protecting it.

General Goïta, who has been in power since a military coup in 2020, passed a law in July extending his stay in power until at least 2030. The move has been widely criticized by the opposition and international partners, who have called for a swift return to democratic rule. The current crisis has highlighted the need for a stable and effective government in Mali, which has been plagued by insecurity and instability in recent years.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community is watching with growing concern. The United Nations and other regional organizations have called for calm and restraint, while also urging the Malian government to take concrete steps to address the security crisis and restore stability to the country. With the economy and security situation continuing to deteriorate, the people of Mali are bearing the brunt of the crisis, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the challenges ahead.