The Malian government has announced a two-week suspension of classes across schools and universities nationwide, effective Monday, following a severe fuel shortage triggered by a blockade imposed by al-Qaeda–linked insurgents.
According to reports, militants from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)—a coalition affiliated with al-Qaeda—declared a blockade on fuel imports into the landlocked West African nation in early September. Since then, they have attacked several convoys transporting fuel tankers bound for the capital, Bamako.
Analysts say the blockade forms part of a broader strategy by jihadist groups to exert economic and political pressure on Mali’s military-led government by cutting off its key supply chains and crippling vital infrastructure.
As fuel scarcity worsens, several filling stations in Bamako have shut down, leaving residents stranded. Many have been forced to walk long distances, rely on scarce motorcycle taxis, or stay home altogether.
The education shutdown comes just days after Russia announced plans to supply between 160,000 and 200,000 metric tons of petroleum and agricultural products to Mali in a bid to ease the crisis.
During a visit to Bamako, Alexey Keulika, head of the Russian delegation, said a joint board meeting would be held in November to discuss progress on a Russia-backed gold refinery project currently under construction in Mali. However, he did not specify the type or timeline for the petroleum deliveries.
This latest disruption follows another major setback in 2024, when Mali was forced to delay the start of its academic year due to widespread flooding after heavy rains.
The ongoing fuel blockade underscores the deepening humanitarian and economic challenges facing Mali, which continues to battle both security threats and infrastructure collapse amid efforts to strengthen ties with Russia following the withdrawal of French and UN forces.
