Latest News

Mali army blocks fuel imports by militants as they block 70 Allied Gold trucks

Two people with knowledge of the situation said that Mali's army has stopped about 70 fuel trucks travelling to Allied Gold’s Sadiola mine, after militants linked to al Qaeda imposed a ban on fuel imports into the landlocked nation.

They said that fuel supplies were dwindling in the remote goldmine, which is located 650 km from Bamako.

Analysts say that militant groups are increasing pressure on Mali's army government. The military took over after coups of 2020 and 2021.

In a video announcing a blockade, a Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin militant spokesperson stated: "We tell all traders who are importing diesel and gasoline to Mali from Ivory Coast or Guinea, Senegal or Mauritania that they should stop until further notice."

"Why? "Because these bandits are persecuting the people, closing down their gas stations and cutting off fuel for villagers on the pretext they are supplying terrorists."

Both sources confirmed that in recent weeks, the armed forces kept many fuel tanks destined for Sadiola at the border town of Diboli, on the Senegal side, and several others in Kayes (about 75 km north of Sadiola) until soldiers could escort them to the site.

One source said that three tankers reached the site this week under military escort.

Due to limited availability, Mali companies may have to wait for weeks or even months to obtain military escorts.

Requests for comment from Allied Gold or the Malian Military were not immediately responded to.

At least 40 fuel tanks were destroyed last month when insurgents attacked an escorted convoy of over 100 vehicles headed for Bamako.

In May, militants targeted a convoy carrying heavy mining equipment between Bamako and Sadiola. This attack highlights the growing security risks faced by mining companies in a country dominated militarily, which is struggling to contain jihadists groups. (Reporting and editing by Robbie Corey Boulet and Mark Heinrich.

(source: Reuters)