France has urged its citizens to leave Mali amid an intensified fuel blockade by the al‑Qaeda‑linked JNIM that has disrupted supply lines to Bamako and across the country. The blockade—targeting tankers from Senegal and Ivory Coast—has paralysed the economy, forced school closures and constrained electricity and harvests. France, the US and UK have moved to evacuate nonessential staff, and shipping company MSC halted operations. Analysts say JNIM's pressure on the capital is unprecedented but unlikely to result in an outright capture of Bamako, while criticism grows of the junta's failure to restore security.
France Urges Citizens to Leave Mali as JNIM Fuel Blockade Cripples Bamako
France has urged its citizens to leave Mali amid an intensified fuel blockade by the al‑Qaeda‑linked JNIM that has disrupted supply lines to Bamako and across the country. The blockade—targeting tankers from Senegal and Ivory Coast—has paralysed the economy, forced school closures and constrained electricity and harvests. France, the US and UK have moved to evacuate nonessential staff, and shipping company MSC halted operations. Analysts say JNIM's pressure on the capital is unprecedented but unlikely to result in an outright capture of Bamako, while criticism grows of the junta's failure to restore security.
07:25, 08.11.2025Conflict
France advises nationals to depart amid worsening blockade
France has advised French nationals in Mali to plan a temporary departure "as soon as possible" after a campaign by the al‑Qaeda‑linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has disrupted life in the capital, Bamako, and other regions.
The travel advisory, issued by the French Foreign Ministry, warned that "for several weeks, the security situation has been deteriorating in Mali, including in Bamako," and added that road travel is "inadvisable, as national roads are currently the target of attacks by terrorist groups." The ministry said the French embassy remains open.
Blockade targeting fuel tankers
Since September, JNIM fighters have targeted fuel tankers—particularly those arriving from Senegal and the Ivory Coast—through which the majority of Mali's imported goods transit. The blockade has paralysed the landlocked country's economy, forcing school closures, delaying harvests in several regions and limiting access to electricity.
Geneva‑based shipping group MSC has suspended operations in Mali, citing the fuel shortage and deteriorating security. Last week, both the United States and the United Kingdom evacuated nonessential personnel and family members.
Political and security context
After two coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali is governed by a military junta that ended France's long military presence and has struggled to contain multiple armed groups. The government has also engaged Russian paramilitary partners in its fight against insurgents.
For several weeks, the security situation has been deteriorating in Mali, including in Bamako — French Foreign Ministry travel advisory
President Assimi Goïta urged citizens this week to reduce nonessential travel and pledged to "do everything possible to deliver fuel." Human rights expert Alioune Tine called the president's statement a "terrible admission of failure," reflecting growing criticism of the junta's ability to guarantee security.
Analysts note that while JNIM has long besieged towns elsewhere in the country, this is the first time the group has sustained a blockade directly affecting the capital. Bakary Sambe of the Timbuktu Institute told AFP that the Malian state appears to be concentrating forces around Bamako to protect the regime, and that popular support for the junta is waning amid insecurity.
JNIM's aims and capabilities
JNIM aims to seize and hold territory and to expel Western influence from areas under its control. Some experts warn the group may seek to exert influence over major cities, though observers generally judge a complete capture of Bamako unlikely at present because JNIM lacks the full military and governance capabilities to hold the capital.
"I do not believe JNIM possesses the capability or intent to take Bamako at this time, though the threat it now poses to the city is unprecedented," said Charlie Werb of Aldebaran Threat Consultants.
The group has been responsible for thousands of deaths across the Sahel since 2017, and human rights organisations accuse it of targeting civilians, particularly those perceived to be assisting government or international forces.