Mali Closes Schools and Universities as Islamist Militant Blockade Worsens Fuel Crisis

Long queues at petrol stations in Mali
Extended queues have been appearing around gas stations in recent weeks

Mali has suspended educational facilities and colleges throughout the country due to a acute energy crisis caused by a restriction on energy resources imposed by militant groups.

Minister of Education declared on national broadcast that all academic facilities would remain closed until November 9th, noting that the transportation of employees and learners had been impacted by the restrictions.

He stated that the administration were “making every effort” to end the crisis so that educational activities could restart on November 10th.

For several weeks, Mali has been experiencing a energy deficit, particularly in the administrative center, after militants from an al-Qaeda affiliate initiated a blockade by striking fuel trucks on primary roads.

The country is surrounded by land, so all petroleum products are transported by land routes from bordering countries such as Senegal and Ivory Coast.

Extended lines have been snaking around petrol stations in the capital in the last several days, and the city's normally bustling streets have now allegedly fallen quiet.

The junta-led administration had earlier this month assured the public that it was only a short-term problem, but the crisis has persisted.

In the past few days, the United States diplomatic office in the capital announced that non-essential diplomatic staff and their relatives would evacuate Mali amid the deteriorating petrol scarcity and growing security concerns.

It noted that the petroleum supply issues had disrupted the power distribution and had the “ability to disturb” the general safety conditions in unforeseen manners.

Mali is presently governed by a military junta headed by the military leader, who took control in a military overthrow in recently.

The ruling council had popular support when it assumed control, promising to tackle the protracted safety emergency triggered by a separatist rebellion in the northern territories by Tuareg communities, which was then co-opted by jihadist fighters.

The United Nations stabilization force and France's military had been deployed in previously to address the increasing militant activity.

These forces have withdrawn since the junta took over, and the current administration has contracted foreign fighters to address the violence.

Nevertheless, the Islamist rebellion has persisted and significant areas of the north and east of the nation remain beyond state authority.

Brittany Rivera
Brittany Rivera

A tech strategist with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and business transformation, passionate about bridging technology and practical applications.