Latest News

Mali fuel stations are flooded with long queues as militants prevent imports

After several days of fuel station closures, and amid fears of a fuel shortage following an al-Qaeda-linked blockade of fuel imports in Mali’s capital Bamako last month, motorists waited in long lines outside the stations on Wednesday.

Since last week, many stations have been forced to shut down or only supply diesel. Analysts say this is a tactic used by militant groups to put pressure on the military-led Mali government. They want to cut of its economic oxygen.

In a video announcing a blockade, a militant from Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin announced that "we are telling all traders" who import gasoline and diesel into Mali to stop until further notice.

Fuel Tankers Arrive from Ivory Coast

Residents and witnesses reported that Shell, Total, and Star stations were not in service for the past few days. Only a handful of local stations could serve motorcyclists.

The Malian authorities announced on Tuesday night that fuel tankers from the neighbouring Ivory Coast had arrived. By Wednesday, many stations had been reopened.

Social media videos showed long queues in Segou, Mopti, and San.

One motorcyclist from Bamako said, "I had to push my bike this morning due to a lack of fuel... I searched everywhere in the neighbourhoods of Faladji and Kalaban but found nothing." If the state could find a way to solve this problem, it would be great.

State television reported that Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga had convened a committee for disaster management to ensure the supply of convoys.

Since 2012, Mali has been in a state of instability after islamist militants hijacked the Tuareg revolt in the north. After coups in 2021 and 2020, the current military government came to power promising to improve security.

Mid-September, the insurgents destroyed at least 40 fuel tanks after attacking a convoy consisting of more than 100 vehicles.

To prevent any further attacks, the armed forces are blocking fuel tanks from reaching their destinations. This includes about 70 trucks destined to Allied Gold's Sadiola Mine in western Mali. Reporting by Mali Newsroom and Portia in Dakar, Editing by Robby Corey-Boulet & Timothy Heritage

(source: Reuters)