The West African nation Suspends Educational Institutions and Universities as Jihadist Blockade Worsens Fuel Shortage

Long queues at petrol stations in Mali
Prolonged lines have been appearing around fuel pumps in recent weeks

Mali has suspended educational facilities and colleges countrywide due to a critical fuel scarcity triggered by a blockade on fuel imports enforced by jihadist fighters.

Minister of Education announced on national broadcast that all learning centers would stay shut until 9 November, noting that the movement of staff and learners had been disrupted by the restrictions.

He stated that the authorities were “working tirelessly” to end the emergency so that classes could resume on 10 November.

For weeks, Mali has been experiencing a energy deficit, particularly in the capital Bamako, after armed groups from an jihadist network imposed a embargo by striking transport vehicles on major highways.

The country is without coastal access, so all petroleum products are delivered by truck from adjacent nations such as Senegal and the neighboring nation.

Extended lines have been winding around fuel outlets in the main city in the past few weeks, and the city's normally bustling streets have now apparently fallen quiet.

The military government had earlier this month reassured the public that it was only a short-term problem, but the situation has endured.

Last week, the American diplomatic mission in the capital stated that non-critical embassy personnel and their families would evacuate the country amid the worsening energy crisis and escalating security concerns.

It explained that the petroleum supply issues had impacted the supply of electricity and had the “potential to disrupt” the broader protection environment in unforeseen manners.

Mali is now led by a armed forces administration under the leadership of General Goïta, who seized power in a takeover in two years ago.

The military government had widespread approval when it took power, committing to tackle the long-running security crisis prompted by a independence uprising in the northern region by ethnic Tuaregs, which was then taken over by Islamist militants.

The United Nations stabilization force and French forces had been sent in 2013 to combat the growing rebellion.

Both have withdrawn since the junta took over, and the ruling council has employed foreign fighters to combat the violence.

However, the Islamist rebellion has continued and extensive regions of the north and east of the state remain outside government control.

Darren Welch
Darren Welch

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