The United States on Tuesday urged its citizens in Mali to depart immediately on commercial flights as al Qaeda-linked militants tighten a fuel blockade and the security outlook deteriorates.
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) announced in early September it would choke fuel imports into the landlocked country and has since struck tanker convoys trying to reach Mali or the capital, Bamako. The shortage prompted the government on Sunday to suspend classes at schools and universities nationwide for two weeks.
“Persistent infrastructure challenges in Mali, including continued disruptions of gasoline and diesel supplies, the closure of public institutions such as schools and universities nationwide, and ongoing armed conflict between Malian government and terrorist elements around Bamako increase the unpredictability of Bamako’s security situation,” the U.S. Embassy in Bamako said.
Analysts view the blockade as part of a pressure campaign on Mali’s military authorities, aiming to cut the country’s economic lifelines. The embassy said Bamako’s airport remains open and advised Americans to leave by air rather than attempt overland travel to neighboring states due to the threat of attacks along highways.
U.S. citizens who stay should draft contingency plans, including the ability to shelter in place for an extended period, the embassy added, noting it cannot assist Americans outside the capital.
On Friday, the State Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government staff and family members from Mali, citing security risks. The country remains at Level 4 on the U.S. travel advisory scale: “Do not travel.”