The West African nation Shuts Down Schools and Universities as Jihadist Restrictions Exacerbates Fuel Emergency

Mali has closed schools and universities throughout the country due to a acute fuel scarcity triggered by a restriction on fuel imports enforced by jihadist fighters.

Minister of Education stated on public media that all academic facilities would stay shut until the ninth of November, clarifying that the transportation of staff and learners had been disrupted by the restrictions.

He stated that the administration were “making every effort” to alleviate the emergency so that academic sessions could restart on 10 November.

For several weeks, Mali has been experiencing a fuel shortage, especially in the capital Bamako, after armed groups from an jihadist network imposed a restriction by striking tankers on key routes.

Mali is landlocked, so all fuel supplies are transported by truck from neighboring states such as its western neighbor and Côte d'Ivoire.

Extended lines have been snaking around petrol stations in the capital in the past few weeks, and the city's normally bustling streets have now reportedly become deserted.

The junta-led administration had previously assured residents that it was only a passing concern, but the emergency has persisted.

Last week, the American diplomatic mission in the capital announced that non-essential diplomatic staff and their relatives would depart the country amid the intensifying fuel shortage and increasing protection worries.

It said that the petroleum supply issues had affected the energy availability and had the “ability to disturb” the general safety conditions in unexpected forms.

Mali is currently ruled by a military junta led by the military leader, who assumed authority in a coup in recently.

The ruling council had widespread approval when it came to authority, promising to tackle the protracted safety emergency triggered by a separatist rebellion in the northern territories by Tuareg communities, which was then hijacked by extremist groups.

The international UN troops and European soldiers had been stationed in a decade ago to deal with the escalating insurgency.

The international troops have left since the military assumed power, and the current administration has contracted private military contractors to combat the insecurity.

Nonetheless, the Islamist rebellion has persisted and significant areas of the northern and eastern zones of the country remain outside government control.