Overview
- The U.S. Embassy warned that fuel scarcity and militant threats have made security in Bamako unpredictable and urged departure without delay.
- Americans were told to leave on commercial flights as the embassy cautioned that overland routes face terrorist attack and kidnapping risks and that assistance outside the capital is extremely limited.
- JNIM, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, is reported to be enforcing the blockade by blocking fuel routes and burning tankers to pressure Mali’s military government.
- Public services are faltering with nationwide school closures, power and transport disruptions, long queues and rationing, a reported 500% fuel price spike, and some flight cancellations.
- Reporting from the region describes stranded fuel convoys and accusations that some transporters pay fighters for passage, while authorities insist the situation remains under control despite years of conflict and displacement.