schools and universities shutdown
Mali has decided to close down schools and universities across the country due to a serious fuel shortage, which has been triggered by a blockade on fuel imports set up by Islamist insurgents.
Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane shared the news on state television, stating that all educational institutions will remain closed until November 9.
He explained that the blockade has significantly impacted the movement of both staff and students.
He mentioned that the authorities were “doing everything possible” to resolve the crisis so that classes could start again on November 10.
For several weeks now, Mali has been grappling with a fuel shortage, particularly in the capital, Bamako. This situation arose after militants linked to al-Qaeda set up a blockade by attacking fuel tankers on key highways.
Since Mali is landlocked, all fuel must be transported by road from neighboring countries like Senegal and Ivory Coast.
Long lines have been winding around gas stations in Bamako lately, and the city’s normally bustling streets have reportedly quieted down.
Earlier this month, the military government reassured residents that this was just a temporary problem, but the fuel crisis has continued.
Last week, the US Embassy in Bamako announced that non-essential diplomatic staff and their families would be leaving Mali due to the worsening fuel shortage and increasing security worries.
They noted that the fuel disruptions have impacted electricity supply and could potentially disrupt the overall security situation in unpredictable ways.
Mali is currently under the control of a military junta led by Gen Assimi Goïta, who came to power in a coup back in 2021.
The junta initially enjoyed popular support when it took over, promising to tackle the long-standing security issues stemming from a separatist rebellion in the north by ethnic Tuaregs, which was later taken over by Islamist militants.
The UN peacekeeping mission and French troops were sent in back in 2013 to address the growing insurgency.
Since the junta took control, both forces have withdrawn, and now the military government has turned to Russian mercenaries to help combat the ongoing insecurity.
Unfortunately, the jihadist insurgency persists, leaving vast areas in the north and east of the country still beyond the government’s reach.
schools and universities shutdown
