Fuel Blockade Crisis: How Jihadists Paralyze Mali's Economy

Wed Nov 12 2025 12:55:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a shocking turn of events, Mali faces a crippling fuel blockade led by jihadist militias that has halted daily life, triggering economic turmoil and a humanitarian crisis.

Mali's capital, Bamako, has ground to a halt as jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has executed a fuel blockade that has lasted over two months. The blockade, which has led to economic paralysis and widespread hardship - including school closures, surging food prices, and health facility shutdowns - escalates the insurgency's threat level and challenges the government's authority amid ongoing instability.

In Bamako, Mali's capital city, the familiar sounds of car engines and horns have been replaced by those of shuffling feet.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

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

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, reflecting the desperate measures being taken by residents.

Behind the chaos appears to be a carefully orchestrated plan, as the junta, which initially enjoyed popular support, has struggled to deal with the ongoing insurgency and economic devastation caused by the blockade.

As the situation unfolds, the Malian government faces criticism for being reactive rather than proactive, amid increasing reliance on foreign entities for fuel supplies.