Mali Struggles as Jihadists Block Fuel Supply Amidst Growing Crisis

Fri Oct 10 2025 11:05:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the face of a fuel blockade imposed by jihadists in Mali, the capital, Bamako, faces severe shortages and rising prices, disrupting daily life and business operations.

A fuel blockade initiated by militants linked to al-Qaeda has led to long queues at petrol stations in Bamako, Mali, disrupting businesses and leading to soaring fuel prices. While military escorts have begun delivering supplies from neighboring Ivory Coast, concerns remain over the temporary nature of the solution. The crisis highlights the broader challenges posed by persistent jihadist insurgency in the region and its impact on the nation's economy.

Long queues have been snaking around petrol stations in Mali's capital a month after militants from an al-Qaeda affiliate imposed a fuel blockade by attacking tankers on major highways.

Our business is at a standstill, one motorbike taxi driver told the BBC, as many others pushed their vehicles to join the petrol lines amidst chaotic scenes in Bamako.

Some of the garages forced to shut last week, paralysing the city, have now reopened after more than 300 petrol tankers arrived under army escort from Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

The military government has assured residents it is only a temporary issue, but there are fears the new stock will quickly run out - as others complain about price hikes.

Other cities and areas have also been suffering from such shortages, power cuts, and fuel inflation for several weeks. My business is dying, a vendor in the central town of Mopti told the AFP news agency about her problems keeping fish refrigerated.

Mali is landlocked, so all fuel supplies are brought into the country by road from neighbors such as Senegal and Ivory Coast.

The junta had popular support when it seized power five years ago, promising to deal with the long-running security crisis prompted by a separatist rebellion in the north by ethnic Tuaregs, which was then hijacked by Islamist militants.

The UN peacekeeping force and French counter-terror forces deployed in 2013 have left, and the military government has hired Russian mercenaries instead. But the jihadist insurgency has continued, and has made much of the north and east of the country ungovernable.

The latest blockade by al-Qaeda linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has seen lorries ambushed, some set alight, and drivers kidnapped, indicating the geographic expansion of its insurgency.

Images widely shared on social media highlight the frustrating lines at petrol stations in Bamako, with individuals waiting for hours. Those caught up in the queues shared their struggles, with some having to push their motorcycles for miles.

Community radio station Nostalgie reported that fuel prices in parts of Bamako have increased by more than 200%. Following a crisis meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga, an action plan was adopted to ensure state-capped prices at garages.

The situation is also reportedly exacerbating power cuts in Bamako, with electricity supply reduced to just six hours a day in some areas. Officials are in talks with the militants in a bid to lift the blockade.