Jihadist Blockade Causes Schools And Universities To Shut Down In Mali As Fuel Crisis Worsens
Due to a severe fuel shortage caused by an Islamist insurgent blockade of fuel supplies, Mali has closed schools and universities across the country.
On state television, Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane announced that all educational institutions will remain closed until November 9th, citing the impact of the blockade on staff and student mobility.
According to him, the authorities are “doing everything possible” to resolve the situation so that courses can resume on November 10.
After terrorists from an al-Qaeda offshoot enforced a blockade by targeting tankers on major routes, Mali has been experiencing a fuel shortage for weeks, particularly in the capital city of Bamako.
Due to Mali’s landlocked status, all fuel is transported by road from neighbouring countries such as Senegal and the Ivory Coast.
In recent weeks, Bamako’s normally busy streets have reportedly grown quieter, and long lines have formed at gas stations.
The situation has persisted despite the military government’s earlier assurances this month that it would be a short-term problem.
In light of the escalating fuel crisis and mounting security concerns, the US Embassy in Bamako announced last week that non-essential diplomatic personnel and their families will depart Mali.
It said the fuel disruptions had affected electricity supply and had the “potential to disrupt the overall security situation in unpredictable ways”.
A military junta led by Gen. Assimi Goïta, who took power in a 2021 coup, presently rules Mali.
When the junta came to power, the people supported it because it promised to address the long-standing security issue brought on by an ethnic Tuareg separatist uprising in the north that was later taken over by Islamist terrorists.
In 2013, French troops and the UN peacekeeping force were sent in to combat the growing rebellion.
Since the junta assumed power, both have departed, and to address the unrest, the military government has employed Russian mercenaries.
Nonetheless, a significant portion of the country’s north and east is still uncontrolled by the government due to the ongoing terrorist insurgency.