Mali will suspend all educational activities nationwide for two weeks due to an ongoing fuel shortage. Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane announced on state broadcaster ORTM that schools will close from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9.
Savane added that educational institutions are scheduled to reopen on Nov. 10, marking an end to the sudden disruption. The fuel crisis has persisted for weeks, triggered by armed groups blocking routes used by tankers, especially near Bamako.
Gas stations have seen long lines, while public transport and motorcycle taxis struggle, leaving normally bustling streets unusually quiet. Universities and higher education institutions in the capital confirmed suspensions, citing difficulties for students and staff reaching their campuses.
The shortage has prompted disruptions in daily life, amplifying anxieties across Mali’s cities and rural areas alike. On Oct. 24, the US Embassy in Bamako announced evacuation plans for non-essential staff amid rising fuel and security concerns.
The embassy warned that it cannot offer routine or emergency consular services outside Bamako, reinforcing the travel advisory in place. Mali now faces mounting challenges as the fuel shortage cripples transport, education, and daily commerce, highlighting the country’s fragile infrastructure.