Mali Faces Fuel Crisis Amid Jihadist Attacks: A Nation in Standstill

Wed Nov 12 2025 12:37:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Mali is grappling with a severe fuel shortage as jihadist militia JNIM intensifies its insurgency, affecting daily life across the nation. Residents face food price surges, transportation woes, and disrupted services amidst this ongoing crisis.

Mali is experiencing a crippling fuel blockade enforced by the jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), resulting in a standstill for residents in the capital and beyond. The blockade, which has lasted over two months, has led to rising food prices, ongoing power cuts in hospitals, and significant disruptions to daily life. As the junta government attempts to manage the crisis with emergency measures, questions about its effectiveness and capacity to ensure public safety are increasingly raised.

In Bamako, Mali's capital city, the familiar sounds of car engines and horns have been replaced by those of shuffling feet.

Residents push depleted motorcycles through the city's dusty roads, frustrated by the fuel blockade that has paralysed Mali for more than two months.

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a jihadist, al-Qaeda-affiliated militia, has been attacking tankers bringing fuel into Mali, broadening its years-long insurgency to include economic warfare.

JNIM's fighters have kidnapped drivers and torched more than 100 trucks bound for Bamako.

Daily life has been upended for millions of Malians - schools and universities had to close, food prices have surged, and hospitals are battling power cuts.

The fuel shortage has sparked concern outside of Mali, with the US urging Americans not to travel to Mali and France advising its citizens in the West African country to leave as soon as possible.

One defining image of the crisis is lengthy queues building up outside petrol stations.

We're here waiting for fuel, and we've been here for more than four days now, Sidi Djiré, a taxi driver waiting at a petrol station in Bamako, tells the BBC.

Mr. Djiré says he hopes Mali's military-led government solves the crisis soon because whether you're a vendor or a teacher, everyone's work has been affected.

At some forecourts in Bamako, motorists are met by a note bearing three, exasperating words - no fuel today.

Many delivery and bus drivers have resorted to sleeping at petrol stations in the hope of being the first to refuel once supplies come in.

And with public transport fares tripling in some parts of the capital, some passengers have ditched the bus completely and are walking long distances to work.

At Bamako's Baco Djicoroni market, customer Assitan Diarra says that food prices have tripled.

Times are really tough right now. But what can we do? We are at war. We pray that God brings ease and peace to our country, Ms. Diarra says.

Traders tell the BBC prices have increased because transport costs have surged and the supply of imported goods has dwindled.

Behind the chaos appears to be a carefully orchestrated plan.

The junta had popular support when it seized power five years ago, promising to deal with the long-running security crisis, but the Islamist insurgency has continued.

JNIM has intensified its attacks over the past year, and the fuel blockade marks a significant escalation from its usual hit-and-run ambushes.

The junta's response has involved emergency measures, such as military escorts for fuel convoys, but these operations are fraught with security risks.

As the situation evolves, Malians fear for their safety and future amidst rising food prices and a lack of essential services.