In Bamako, Mali's capital city, the familiar sounds of car engines and horns have been replaced by those of shuffling feet.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 paralyzed 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, told the BBC. Public transport fares have tripled, pushing some passengers to walk long distances to work. Traders contend that the fuel shortage has disrupted their access to supplies and driven up prices. Behind the chaos appears to be a carefully orchestrated plan as JNIM's insurgent tactics extend beyond violence to now include control over critical resources. As the junta attempts to manage the crisis, the public's patience wears thin amid questions about the government's ability to act decisively against the ongoing insurgency.
Fuel Blockade: Jihadists Bring Mali to a Standstill

Fuel Blockade: Jihadists Bring Mali to a Standstill
Mali faces a crippling fuel blockade initiated by the jihadist group JNIM, significantly affecting daily life and raising concerns over the government's capacity to address the crisis.
Over two months of a fuel blockade by the jihadist militia JNIM has left Malians struggling with soaring food prices and disrupted daily activities, challenging the military-led government's effectiveness. The ongoing crisis has shut down schools, increased transport costs, and strained medical facilities, painting a dire picture of the nation's stability.
















