Mali’s ongoing struggle with armed groups has ignited fresh challenges for its citizens, particularly affecting the educational landscape. In response to a severe fuel blockade instigated by the Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), the military government has announced a nationwide closure of schools and universities for two weeks, emphasizing the pressing need for stability in the region as it grapples with a multifaceted crisis.
Mali’s military government has announced a two-week closure of schools and universities nationwide as the situation continues to deteriorate amid a blockade on fuel imports imposed by the armed group Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) since September. The Minister of Education, Amadou Sy Savane, stated that this suspension, which will last until November 9, is necessary due to disruptions in fuel supplies affecting the movement of school staff.
In an effort to mitigate the impact on the educational sector, authorities have expressed their commitment to restoring normal fuel supplies before classes are scheduled to resume on November 10. However, the Interministerial Committee for Crisis and Disaster Management has indicated that restrictions on fuel supplies will remain in place until further notice. Priority will be given to emergency, assistance, and public transport vehicles at dedicated fuel stations.
This blockade was instituted nearly two months ago by JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate actively operating in the Sahel region. The armed group has been targeting fuel tankers primarily coming from Senegal and the Ivory Coast, routes vital for the transportation of essential goods into Mali. JNIM claims that its actions are a retaliatory measure against Malian authorities, who have banned the sale of fuel outside of regulated stations in rural areas, a move intended to disrupt JNIM’s supply chains.
As the blockade persists, Mali’s fragile economy has faced considerable strain, leading to increased commodity prices and transport difficulties in a country heavily reliant on fuel imports. The fallout from the blockade has also extended to the capital, Bamako, where residents are queuing for hours at gas stations in a desperate attempt to secure fuel.
Mali, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has been confronting armed groups for over a decade, including affiliates of al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS), in addition to local insurgencies. Following military coups in these nations, new ruling authorities have opted to expel French forces and seek security assistance from Russian mercenary units, though the effectiveness of this strategy remains in question. Analysts now view the blockade as a significant hurdle for Mali’s military government, which has justified its 2020 power takeover as necessary to address ongoing security challenges.
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