Fuel Crisis Deepens in Mali as Al-Qaeda Affiliate’s Blockade Sparks Shortages and Chaos in Bamako
A severe fuel shortage has brought Mali’s capital, Bamako, to a near standstill as long queues snake around petrol stations following a militant blockade that has disrupted vital fuel supply routes. The crisis, now stretching into its second month, stems from coordinated attacks by an al-Qaeda-linked group targeting fuel tankers on key highways.
Scenes of frustration and desperation have unfolded across Bamako, with residents spending hours in chaotic lines to secure scarce petrol. “Our business is at a standstill,” said one motorbike taxi driver, visibly exhausted after pushing his vehicle for miles to reach a filling station.
Fuel Convoys Arrive — But Relief May Be Short-Lived
The situation eased slightly this week after over 300 petrol tankers arrived under army escort from Ivory Coast, allowing several garages to reopen after being forced to shut down for days. The military government has assured citizens that the crisis is “temporary,” yet growing fears persist that the new supply will not last long.
Residents have also raised concerns about sharp price increases, with many accusing traders of exploiting the crisis. “We are asking fuel traders to make things easier for the population. They have no reason to increase prices — it doesn’t help the country,” one frustrated motorist told the BBC.
Community radio station Nostalgie reported that petrol prices in parts of Bamako have skyrocketed by more than 200%, making basic transportation unaffordable for many.
Fuel Shortages Spread Beyond the Capital
The impact of the blockade is being felt far beyond Bamako. Towns such as Mopti and Ségou are also grappling with fuel shortages, power cuts, and spiraling prices. In Mopti, one vendor told AFP that her business was collapsing as she struggled to keep fish refrigerated. “My business is dying,” she said, her frustration echoing that of thousands of small traders across the region.
Mali, a landlocked West African country, relies heavily on neighboring nations such as Senegal and Ivory Coast for fuel imports transported by road. The militant attacks have crippled this lifeline, disrupting trade and threatening the fragile economy.
Militant Attacks Expand in Scope and Geography
The ongoing blockade was imposed by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) — an al-Qaeda affiliate that has long operated in Mali’s north and east. The group’s fighters have ambushed and torched fuel trucks, kidnapped drivers, and effectively blocked trade routes connecting Mali to its western and southern neighbors.
Security analysts say this marks a geographic expansion of JNIM’s insurgency, signaling that militants are now targeting economic infrastructure to undermine the government.
The military junta, which seized power five years ago, initially enjoyed widespread support for its promises to restore order amid the long-running insurgency. However, as the security situation worsens and living conditions deteriorate, public frustration is mounting.
A Nation Under Strain
The junta came to power pledging to resolve the Tuareg separatist rebellion in the north, which began in 2012 and was later overtaken by Islamist groups. Despite replacing UN peacekeepers and French counterterrorism forces with Russian mercenaries, large parts of northern and eastern Mali remain under militant control.
The latest blockade has exposed the junta’s growing struggle to secure vital trade routes and maintain stability. The crisis has also fueled public anger, with many citizens questioning the government’s ability to protect the nation’s supply chains.
Government Response and Emergency Measures
Following a crisis meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga, the government announced an action plan to stabilize fuel distribution and enforce state-capped prices. Officials said inspection teams have been deployed to monitor compliance at petrol stations and curb illegal price hikes.
Soumaïla Djitteye, the deputy director general of commerce, said the situation “will improve in the coming days,” praising the “sacrifice and patriotism” of fuel transporters and security personnel.
However, the crisis is also worsening electricity shortages. According to AFP, an official from the state-owned power company said that electricity supply in some districts of Bamako has been cut to just six hours a day, down from the usual 19. The fuel shortage has limited the company’s ability to power generators, further straining households and businesses.
Negotiations Reportedly Underway with Militants
French public broadcaster Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that Malian officials are engaged in “discreet” negotiations with JNIM leaders to lift the blockade. A source close to the talks said the militants are demanding the release of captured fighters and a relaxation of fuel restrictions in rural areas — rules that were introduced to limit jihadist access to supplies.
RFI also reported that another demand includes enforcing strict dress codes for women, such as mandatory veiling on public buses, highlighting the militants’ attempts to impose conservative social controls alongside their economic tactics.
Daily Struggles for Ordinary Malians
For many residents, the crisis is not just an inconvenience — it’s a daily battle for survival. “I had to push my motorcycle from Djikoroni to Badalabougou, nearly six miles, without fuel,” said one exhausted rider. Others described spending entire days waiting in line only to find that stations had run dry by the time they reached the pump.
With fuel scarce and prices soaring, public transport has become unreliable, and food delivery costs have spiked. Hospitals, small factories, and even schools are struggling to operate due to power outages and fuel scarcity.
A Country at a Crossroads
The ongoing blockade underscores Mali’s deepening vulnerability in the face of militant threats. As the government works to restore fuel supplies and negotiate with armed groups, it faces the delicate task of balancing security, diplomacy, and economic survival.
Analysts warn that if the crisis persists, it could trigger wider unrest and weaken public confidence in the junta, already under pressure for its handling of the economy and human rights record.
For now, Bamako’s residents can only wait — and hope that the fuel trucks keep coming.