Since late April, jihadist groups have enforced a road blockade around Bamako, Mali’s capital, triggering a crisis that has forced over a dozen road transport companies to halt operations to and from the city. The decision comes after coordinated attacks on April 25-26 by Islamist militants and tuareg rebels, targeting key positions held by the ruling junta.

Transport companies suspend services amid escalating threats

“We’ve temporarily suspended all operations to avoid endangering passengers and minimize losses,” explained a transport agency manager, who requested anonymity. The manager revealed that six buses were destroyed in clashes on the Ségou highway last Saturday. This suspension affects all major routes leading to Bamako, though some minibuses continue entering via alternative paths.

While more than ten companies have officially announced their shutdown, others have quietly ceased operations without public notice. “Some fear retaliation from authorities who might force them to resume services,” the manager added. The blockade has crippled Mali’s already fragile supply chains, leaving Bamako heavily dependent on limited fuel and goods deliveries.

Fuel shortages and infrastructure disruptions worsen crisis

The blockade’s impact is evident across Bamako. Motorists have formed long queues at gas stations as diesel supplies dwindle. On Saturday, authorities claimed to have received over 700 fuel tankers via the Ivory Coast corridor, yet shortages persist. Militants have also torched multiple cargo convoys and passenger buses in recent days.

The crisis extends beyond fuel. Power outages have plagued the capital for days, with one resident telling reporters, “We went 72 hours without electricity. It only returned for three hours on the fourth day before failing again.” The state-owned electricity provider, Énergie du Mali (EDM), attributed the disruptions to “sabotage by terrorists” targeting the power grid. Meanwhile, water supply disruptions have been reported in several districts due to load shedding.

Urgent call for humanitarian corridors

Analysts warn that prolonged blockades could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe in Bamako, a city of over 4 million people. The junta faces mounting pressure to negotiate safe passage for essential supplies, while jihadist factions tighten their grip on key access routes. The situation remains highly volatile, with no clear resolution in sight.