Mali fuel blockade

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin is an al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition of jihadist groups formed in 2017 that is currently waging an insurgency against the governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with a presence in Benin and Togo. In areas under its influence, the group has taxed vehicles transporting people or commodities across Mali and between Mali, Burkia Faso, and Niger. In July 2025, JNIM launched a failed simultaneous attack on Malian military outposts in Kayes, Ségou, Bamako, and other sites in western and southern Mali. 95% of Malian fuel imports come from Senegalese and Ivorian trading routes. The main road between Senegal and Mali, National Road 1 (NR1), goes through the city of Kayes. JNIM militants, preachers, and sympathizers had been spotted by locals in western Mali prior to the blockade. Their strategy was to play on tensions between village chiefs and residents, preach that Shari'a law was less corrupt and more fair than Malian government law, and gain a following large enough to become a JNIM cell. == Blockade ==

2025 September attacks The blockade was announced on September 3, 2025, by JNIM spokesman Abou Houzeifa al-Bambari in a video released by JNIM's Az-Zallaqa Foundation. The blockade was initially announced to pressue the Malian government to lift taxes on fuel imports in rural areas of the country, but later expanded to a method of pressuring the Malian government to acquiesce to the group's demands of imposing Sharia law in Mali. Residents of western Mali had said that since the announcement of the blockade, road traffic from Senegal had decreased. The blockade has brought entire villages to an economic standstill. The six drivers were freed and returned safely to Senegal on September 8. The first attack on fuel tankers occurred between the towns of Kaniara and Lakamane in Kayes region. Videos recorded by JNIM fighters and onlookers showed a fuel tanker exploding, and other fuel tankers shot up on the road. One Malian military vehicle was also shown, with one visible death. That same day, al-Bambari congratulated the fighters who carried out the attack in a video statement. The Malian Armed Forces confirmed the attack, and said that they "responded vigorously". October attacks JNIM reported another ambush on fuel tankers between the towns of Kolondieba and Kadiana on October 17. Fighters on October 21 recorded the aftermath of this attack, with over 50 tankers being burnt. April–May JNIM imposed a blockade again on 28 April, framing it as retaliation for Bamako residents helping the Malian army kill or capture JNIM militants during the 25 April offensive. Radio France Internationale reported roadblocks to the west of Bamako in Soribougou, to the southwest in Naréna, and to the south in Ouélessébougou. == Effects ==

The fuel blockade has paralyzed Malian civil services. The United States embassy urged Americans to "depart immediately using commercial aviation" from Mali on October 28, followed by similar warnings by the United Kingdom. The US and UK both pulled diplomatic embassy staff as well. Many businesses remained closed from late October to mid November, and the government prioritized available fuel for Energie du Mali, the state-owned electricity provider. Many major towns experienced rolling blackouts or were left without power for weeks. Transportation In the JNIM's initial statement on September 2, al-Bambari said that fuel tankers part of the Diarra Transport Company would be targeted by the group. al-Bambari accused the company of transporting Malian soldiers and military equipment. The ban was lifted on October 17, after the CEO of the company agreed to JNIM's terms of segregating men and women, mandating women wear burqas, and compensation in case of an accident. In response to this, the Malian government suspended activities of Diarra Transport Company on October 23. JNIM fighters have been reported checking if buses adhered to these new stipulations in at least six instances. Offensive The blockade also facilitated a JNIM offensive into southern Mali since September, where they took control of the town of Loulouni in Sikasso region. == References ==