The West African nation Shuts Down Schools and Higher Education Centers as Islamist Militant Restrictions Exacerbates Fuel Crisis
Mali has temporarily halted educational facilities and universities across the nation due to a critical petrol shortage caused by a blockade on fuel imports imposed by militant groups.
Minister of Education announced on public media that all learning centers would be inactive until 9 November, clarifying that the transportation of personnel and pupils had been affected by the blockade.
He stated that the administration were “making every effort” to end the crisis so that classes could continue on November 10th.
For several weeks, Mali has been experiencing a energy deficit, especially in the capital Bamako, after armed groups from an al-Qaeda-linked organization enforced a embargo by attacking fuel trucks on major highways.
The country is without coastal access, so all petroleum products are transported by road from neighboring states such as its western neighbor and Côte d'Ivoire.
Extended lines have been snaking around fuel outlets in Bamako in recent weeks, and the city's normally bustling streets have now allegedly become deserted.
The ruling military council had previously promised citizens that it was only a passing concern, but the emergency has continued.
Recently, the US Embassy in the capital stated that non-critical embassy personnel and their families would depart Mali amid the worsening energy crisis and growing safety issues.
It said that the fuel disruptions had disrupted the power distribution and had the “capacity to affect” the broader protection environment in unexpected forms.
Mali is presently governed by a army council led by the military leader, who assumed authority in a military overthrow in two years ago.
The junta had public backing when it came to authority, committing to address the long-running security crisis triggered by a independence uprising in the northern territories by the Tuareg population, which was then taken over by extremist groups.
The international UN troops and European soldiers had been deployed in a decade ago to deal with the growing rebellion.
These forces have withdrawn since the junta took over, and the ruling council has hired foreign fighters to tackle the instability.
Nonetheless, the jihadist insurgency has continued and extensive regions of the northern and eastern zones of the country remain outside government control.
