Amid a deepening fuel crisis in Mali, a convoy of 82 petrol tankers arrived in Bamako over the weekend, traveling from neighboring Niger. The 1,400-kilometre journey took 21 days due to ongoing regional insecurity.
The city has been severely affected by a fuel blockade lasting over two months, imposed by al Qaeda-linked militants, which has disrupted daily life and heightened pressure on Mali’s military junta. Since early September, jihadist attacks on fuel convoys have repeatedly obstructed transport routes, exacerbating shortages.
In response, Russia has pledged to supply Mali with between 160,000 and 200,000 metric tonnes of petroleum and agricultural products. Its Africa Corps has also assisted by escorting tanker convoys to safeguard them against hijackings.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso formed the Alliance of Sahel States last year to address a persistent jihadist insurgency in the region. The three nations have severed ties with their former colonial power, France, exited the West African political bloc ECOWAS, and sought Russian support in combating armed groups.
