Mali Fuel Blockade: A New Crisis
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
Support African Elements at patreon.com/africanelements and hear recent news in a single playlist. Additionally, you can gain early access to ad-free video content.
Militants Target Mali’s Economy
Mali is facing a severe crisis. Al-Qaeda-linked militants are tightening their grip on fuel imports. They are burning trucks on major supply routes. This new tactic aims to economically suffocate the country (africanews.com). The group responsible is Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). They announced the blockade in a video last week. JNIM claimed responsibility for recent attacks on convoys. These convoys were bringing fuel from neighboring Senegal (africanews.com). This marks a significant shift in their strategy. Their goal is to cut off Bamako, the capital, from vital resources (africanews.com).
Residents in Bamako are feeling the fear spread quickly. Cheick Oumar Coulibaly, a retired soldier, shared his concerns. He stated that jihadists have spread information about taking over everywhere. This frightens and worries people in Bamako (africanews.com). However, he believes it is propaganda. He swears the terrorists cannot take the country. Many Malians see this blockade as economic warfare waged by insurgents (africanews.com). This new approach by JNIM is designed to stop economic exchanges. It also aims to prevent the capital from receiving essential supplies (africanews.com).
Understanding JNIM’s Strategy
JNIM is a major jihadist group. It operates in Mali and the wider Sahel region. It formed in 2017. This happened through the merger of several militant groups. These included Ansar Dine, the Macina Liberation Front (Katiba Macina), Al-Mourabitoun, and the Saharan branch of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) (iwpr.net). JNIM’s main goals are clear. They want to establish an Islamic state in Mali and the Sahel. They also aim to expel foreign forces and impose Sharia law (iwpr.net). The group maintains strong ties with al-Qaeda. In central Mali, where Katiba Macina and JNIM are reportedly based, Fulani civilians have suffered greatly. They have faced the brunt of the government’s renewed assault. There are multiple reports of atrocities committed by the government’s new Russian allies (iwpr.net).
This fuel blockade is a new tactic. It differs from previous militant actions. Militant groups in Mali have a history of violence. They have attacked civilians and security forces. They have also controlled access to resources (international-alert.org). A fuel blockade likely involves physically stopping fuel convoys. It could also mean controlling key transport routes. Intimidation is another method to prevent fuel deliveries. This specifically targets a vital commodity. It aims for economic and logistical disruption. The security context in Mali continues to worsen. This is due to armed conflicts and communal clashes. Radicalization and violent extremism are also increasing at the local level (international-alert.org). This impacts social cohesion. Since 2015, violence has spread to central regions. This has fueled and worsened inter-community conflicts. These conflicts are often over natural resources and transboundary watersheds (international-alert.org).
Mali’s Vulnerability to Blockades
Mali’s landlocked geography makes it very vulnerable. It relies heavily on imports for essential goods (africanews.com). The country imports fuel and cement from neighboring Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire (africanews.com). Fuel and its derivatives make up a large portion of Mali’s imports. They constitute 33% of all goods and services Mali buys from abroad (africanews.com). Economist Modibo Mao Makalou warned about the crippling consequences. He explained that the blockade aims to stop economic exchanges. It seeks to economically suffocate the country. Most importantly, it wants to prevent the capital from getting supplies (africanews.com).
Being landlocked means Mali depends on transit through neighboring countries. This allows access to seaports and international trade routes. This reliance makes its supply chains vulnerable. Political instability, security threats, or logistical challenges in transit nations can cause disruptions. Internal disruptions, like blockades, also pose a threat. Mali is a low-income country in North-West Africa (futures.issafrica.org). It has significant economic growth potential. This is rooted in its rich natural resources. However, it faces ongoing development challenges. These include inequality, governance issues, and a continued reliance on commodity exports. Gold and cotton are particularly important (futures.issafrica.org). Mali is the only country in the West African Economic and Monetary Union without a program with the International Monetary Fund (africaintelligence.com).
Mali's Import Reliance
Escalation of Insecurity
This blockade is an escalation of years of insecurity in Mali. Violence began in northern Mali in 2012. It has steadily moved southward (africanews.com). Bamako has experienced deadly attacks in recent years (africanews.com). Political instability in Mali will continue in 2025. This is because insecurity is worsening (fitchsolutions.com). The number of attacks against civilians and security forces has increased. This is especially true in the regions of Timbuktu, Ségou, and Mopti (international-alert.org). This has pushed communities to seek protection. They look for alternative security providers. These are often seen as more effective and legitimate than state forces (international-alert.org).
On September 17, Katiba Macina launched an unprecedented attack on Bamako (iwpr.net). This stirred up anti-Fulani sentiment in the south. It also affected the country’s elite. This group is dominated by the Bambara ethnic group (iwpr.net). Many people have come to see the jihadists as providing vital protection (iwpr.net). From the government’s perspective, this is problematic. The jihadists have become emboldened. Brutal military responses have also created mistrust. This is due to a perceived prejudice against the Fulani and other minorities (international-alert.org). This has hampered effective engagement. It affects relations between communities and security forces.
Organized Crime and Extremist Networks
The broader context of organized crime and extremist networks in Africa is important. It highlights the challenges in combating such groups. Investigating organized crime in Africa often means understanding these networks. This includes terrorist and militia groups (gijn.org). Information from traders, business people, and truckers is crucial. It helps understand how these groups operate. They often impose “taxes” or bribes (gijn.org). Open-source tools are used to expose extremism networks. This includes identifying social media posts and verifying images (gijn.org).
The connection between the fuel blockade and broader criminal networks is implied. However, the exact details of how these groups finance operations are not fully elaborated. The context of widespread violence and communities seeking protection from “alternative security providers” suggests organization. It also points to resourcefulness. The mention of “inter-community conflicts around natural resources” hints at economic drivers. These can contribute to conflict. They also involve various actors. The global market for refined petroleum products is subject to various economic factors. Key sales channels include petroleum bulk stations and terminals. Petroleum and petroleum products merchant wholesalers are also involved. Finally, petroleum refineries play a role (marketresearch.com). Market reports provide a worldwide view of market size and revenue. They also show growth and forecasts across 195 countries. This information is used for strategic planning and sales and marketing strategy (marketresearch.com).
Mali’s Escalating Insecurity Timeline
Impact on Civilians and Government Response
The provided information does not offer specific details on how ordinary Malians are coping with fuel shortages. It also lacks detailed reports on disruptions to transportation, healthcare, or food supplies. However, the severe impact of insecurity on social cohesion is clear (international-alert.org). The increasing number of attacks against civilians implies that any significant disruption, like a fuel blockade, would worsen existing hardships. It would also push communities to seek alternative forms of protection. The Malian government's response primarily involves military actions. This includes a “renewed assault” with its “new Russian allies” (iwpr.net). There are reports of “brutal military responses” (international-alert.org). These responses have created mistrust. They are seen as prejudiced against the Fulani and other minorities (international-alert.org).
The information does not detail specific measures taken by the government to mitigate the blockade's impact on civilians or the economy. The lack of an IMF program for Mali also suggests limitations. These could be in economic support or crisis management (africaintelligence.com). The global community's role is not explicitly detailed. However, the ongoing insecurity and humanitarian concerns suggest a need for international attention. The African Union, France, and the UN have historically been involved in Mali. Their current roles in addressing this specific blockade are not specified. The situation remains critical. The blockade poses a significant threat to Mali's stability and its people's well-being.
Key Challenges Facing Mali
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
