Mali: Fuel blockade and economic paralysis

The security situation in Mali has rapidly deteriorated following the blockade imposed by the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM/JNIM) on Bamako since September 3, 2025, prompting the United States, Italy, Germany, and Australia to urge their nationals to leave the country.

Attacks against fuel convoys coming from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have caused a nationwide shortage, prompting the government — among other measures — to suspend classes until November 10.

This campaign reinforces JNIM’s influence in Mali. On October 28, two Egyptian nationals were abducted, while two Emirati hostages and one Iranian national were released in exchange for a ransom of 50 million USD.
This sequence opens a period of uncertainty in Mali.