In a significant move, Mali has suspended all school and university classes nationwide for two weeks starting Monday due to a severe fuel shortage. This crisis has arisen after al-Qaeda-linked militants, specifically Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), imposed a blockade on fuel imports, leading to widespread disruption.
Since early September, these militants have attacked convoys attempting to deliver fuel to the landlocked country, further exacerbating the situation. As a result, many fuel stations in the capital, Bamako, have closed, forcing residents to resort to walking or seeking alternative transportation options such as motorcycle taxis.
The school closures are a direct response to the ongoing fuel blockade, which analysts believe is part of a pressure campaign by militant groups aimed at destabilizing Mali’s military-led government by targeting its economic lifelines.
In a related development, Russia has announced plans to deliver between 160,000 and 200,000 metric tons of petroleum and agricultural products to Mali. However, details regarding the type and timing of these deliveries remain unclear.
This situation follows a tumultuous previous year when the academic calendar was disrupted due to severe flooding in Mali. The current fuel crisis poses yet another challenge for the country, raising concerns about the broader implications for education and daily life in Mali.
