Malian government forced to close schools due to fuel crisis

Mali Suspends Educational Activities Due to Fuel Scarcity

Starting from Sun, Oct 15, 2023, Mali has temporarily closed schools and universities nationwide due to a significant shortage of fuel. This situation arises from a blockade on fuel imports imposed by militant groups on the capital city.

Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane announced on state television that educational institutions would be closed for two weeks. This decision is attributed to disruptions in fuel supplies, which have impacted the movement of school staff.

Militant factions, specifically from the al-Qaida-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin group, declared a ban on fuel imports from neighboring countries into Mali in early September. This has severely impacted Mali's economy, leaving numerous fuel trucks stranded at the border.

Mali, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, is confronting an insurgency from armed groups, including those linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State. Recent political changes, including military coups, have led to the expulsion of French forces and the engagement of Russian mercenary units, though this has reportedly not improved the security situation.

The capital, Bamako, is experiencing prolonged queues at gas stations, and the fuel scarcity is influencing the cost of commodities and transportation. Given Mali's reliance on imported fuel, the blockade poses a significant challenge to the military junta, which assumed power in 2020 to address ongoing security concerns.

The Malian military has attempted to escort fuel trucks from the border to Bamako. While some trucks have arrived, others have faced militant attacks. The education minister assured that efforts are underway to normalize fuel supplies ahead of the planned reopening of schools on Fri, Nov 10, 2023.

Based on reporting by Africanews.