France Urges Citizens to Evacuate Mali Amid Ongoing Fuel Blockade

Sat Nov 08 2025 04:03:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The French government has issued an urgent advisory for its citizens in Mali to leave the country due to a fuel blockade imposed by jihadist groups, significantly disrupting daily life.

In response to a two-month blockade by Islamist militants that has halted fuel supplies in Mali, the French foreign ministry has urged its citizens to evacuate urgently. The blockade, enforced by the al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, has paralyzed transportation and threatened the security situation further. With MSC, the world’s largest shipping company, ceasing operations in the country, Mali's civilian life faces escalating crises. France’s advisory highlights the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in the region.

France has advised its citizens in Mali to leave as soon as possible, as Islamist insurgents continue their blockade of the country.

The French foreign ministry urged citizens to depart on commercial flights while they are still available and to avoid overland travel.

A two-month-old fuel blockade on Mali, imposed by an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, has severely impacted daily life in the capital, Bamako, and other regions of the landlocked West African country—once a French colony.

This announcement coincides with MSC, the world’s largest shipping company, halting its operations in Mali in light of the blockade and deteriorating security.

The jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has obstructed essential fuel supplies by attacking tankers on major highways. Mali, lacking a coastline, relies entirely on road transport for fuel from neighboring countries like Senegal and Ivory Coast.

Last month, the US embassy in Bamako advised its non-essential diplomatic staff and families to leave the country amid the crisis, noting that fuel disruptions are affecting electricity supply and have the potential to worsen the security scenario.

Mali is currently ruled by a military junta led by Gen. Assimi Goïta, who first seized power in a coup in 2020. Initially, the junta enjoyed popular support, promising to address long-running security issues arising from a separatist rebellion and subsequent Islamist militant incursions. However, despite the presence of Russian mercenaries, the jihadist insurgency persists, with large parts of northern and eastern Mali remaining outside government control.